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Science M, Orkin J, Maguire B, Bitnun A, Bourns L, Corbeil A, Johnstone J, Macdonald L, Schwartz KL, Bruce Barrett C, Reinprecht J, Heisey A, Nasso S, Jüni P, Campigotto A. Viral Dynamics of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron Variant in Pediatric Patients: A Prospective Cohort Study. Clin Infect Dis 2024; 78:1506-1513. [PMID: 38084906 DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciad740] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/15/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND There are limited data on the viral dynamics of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in children. Understanding viral load changes over the course of illness and duration of viral shedding may provide insight into transmission dynamics to inform public health and infection-control decisions. METHODS We conducted a prospective cohort study of children aged 18 years and younger with polymerase chain reaction-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 between 1 February 2022 and 14 March 2022. SARS-CoV-2 testing occurred on daily samples for 10 days; a subset of participants completed daily rapid antigen tests (RATs). Viral RNA trajectories were described in relation to symptom onset and resolution. The associations between both time since symptom onset/resolution and non-infectious viral load were evaluated using a Cox proportional hazards model. RESULTS Among 101 children aged 2 to 17 years, the median time to study-defined non-infectious viral load was 5 days post-symptom onset, with 75% meeting this threshold by 7 days and 90% by 10 days. On the day of and day after symptom resolution, 43 (49%) and 52 (60%) of 87 had met the non-infectious thresholds, respectively. Of the 50 participants completing a RAT, positivity at symptom onset and on the day after symptom onset was 67% (16/24) and 75% (14/20). On the first day where the non-infectious threshold was met, 61% (n = 27/44) of participant RAT results were positive. CONCLUSIONS Children often met the study-defined non-infectiousness threshold on the day after symptom resolution. The RATs were often negative early in the course of illness and should not be relied on to exclude infection. Clinical Trials Registration. clinicaltrials.org; NCT05240183.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle Science
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Public Health Ontario, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Julia Orkin
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Division of Pediatric Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Child Health Evaluative Sciences, SickKids Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Bryan Maguire
- Biostatistics Design and Analysis Unit, Research Institute, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ari Bitnun
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | | | | | - Jennie Johnstone
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Unity Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Liane Macdonald
- Public Health Ontario, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Kevin L Schwartz
- Public Health Ontario, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Unity Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | | | | | - Alice Heisey
- The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Peter Jüni
- Clinical Trial Service Unit and Epidemiological Studies Unit (CTSU), Oxford Population Health, Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford,Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Aaron Campigotto
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Division of Microbiology, Department of Pediatric Laboratory Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Zhang Y, Zhou Y, Chen J, Wu J, Wang X, Zhang Y, Wang S, Cui P, Xu Y, Li Y, Shen Z, Xu T, Zhang Q, Cai J, Zhang H, Wang P, Ai J, Jiang N, Qiu C, Zhang W. Vaccination Shapes Within-Host SARS-CoV-2 Diversity of Omicron BA.2.2 Breakthrough Infection. J Infect Dis 2024; 229:1711-1721. [PMID: 38149984 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiad572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 12/28/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Low-frequency intrahost single-nucleotide variants of SARS-CoV-2 have been recognized as predictive indicators of selection. However, the impact of vaccination on the intrahost evolution of SARS-CoV-2 remains uncertain at present. METHODS We investigated the genetic variation of SARS-CoV-2 in individuals who were unvaccinated, partially vaccinated, or fully vaccinated during Shanghai's Omicron BA.2.2 wave. We substantiated the connection between particular amino acid substitutions and immune-mediated selection through a pseudovirus neutralization assay or by cross-verification with the human leukocyte antigen-associated T-cell epitopes. RESULTS In contrast to those with immunologic naivety or partial vaccination, participants who were fully vaccinated had intrahost variant spectra characterized by reduced diversity. Nevertheless, the distribution of mutations in the fully vaccinated group was enriched in the spike protein. The distribution of intrahost single-nucleotide variants in individuals who were immunocompetent did not demonstrate notable signs of positive selection, in contrast to the observed adaptation in 2 participants who were immunocompromised who had an extended period of viral shedding. CONCLUSIONS In SARS-CoV-2 infections, vaccine-induced immunity was associated with decreased diversity of within-host variant spectra, with milder inflammatory pathophysiology. The enrichment of mutations in the spike protein gene indicates selection pressure exerted by vaccination on the evolution of SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Zhang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases and Biosafety Emergency Response, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yang Zhou
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases and Biosafety Emergency Response, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Sci-Tech Inno Center for Infection & Immunity, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiazhen Chen
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases and Biosafety Emergency Response, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Sci-Tech Inno Center for Infection & Immunity, Shanghai, China
| | - Jing Wu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases and Biosafety Emergency Response, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Sci-Tech Inno Center for Infection & Immunity, Shanghai, China
| | - Xun Wang
- School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yumeng Zhang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases and Biosafety Emergency Response, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Sci-Tech Inno Center for Infection & Immunity, Shanghai, China
| | - Shiyong Wang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases and Biosafety Emergency Response, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Peng Cui
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases and Biosafety Emergency Response, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Sci-Tech Inno Center for Infection & Immunity, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuanyuan Xu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases and Biosafety Emergency Response, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yang Li
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases and Biosafety Emergency Response, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhongliang Shen
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases and Biosafety Emergency Response, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Tao Xu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases and Biosafety Emergency Response, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Sci-Tech Inno Center for Infection & Immunity, Shanghai, China
| | - Qiran Zhang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases and Biosafety Emergency Response, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jianpeng Cai
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases and Biosafety Emergency Response, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Haocheng Zhang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases and Biosafety Emergency Response, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Pengfei Wang
- School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jingwen Ai
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases and Biosafety Emergency Response, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Sci-Tech Inno Center for Infection & Immunity, Shanghai, China
| | - Ning Jiang
- Shanghai Sci-Tech Inno Center for Infection & Immunity, Shanghai, China
- School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Chao Qiu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases and Biosafety Emergency Response, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Sci-Tech Inno Center for Infection & Immunity, Shanghai, China
| | - Wenhong Zhang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases and Biosafety Emergency Response, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Sci-Tech Inno Center for Infection & Immunity, Shanghai, China
- School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Aging and Medicine, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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Theel ES, Kirby JE, Pollock NR. Testing for SARS-CoV-2: lessons learned and current use cases. Clin Microbiol Rev 2024; 37:e0007223. [PMID: 38488364 DOI: 10.1128/cmr.00072-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2024] Open
Abstract
SUMMARYThe emergence and worldwide dissemination of SARS-CoV-2 required both urgent development of new diagnostic tests and expansion of diagnostic testing capacity on an unprecedented scale. The rapid evolution of technologies that allowed testing to move out of traditional laboratories and into point-of-care testing centers and the home transformed the diagnostic landscape. Four years later, with the end of the formal public health emergency but continued global circulation of the virus, it is important to take a fresh look at available SARS-CoV-2 testing technologies and consider how they should be used going forward. This review considers current use case scenarios for SARS-CoV-2 antigen, nucleic acid amplification, and immunologic tests, incorporating the latest evidence for analytical/clinical performance characteristics and advantages/limitations for each test type to inform current debates about how tests should or should not be used.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elitza S Theel
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - James E Kirby
- Department of Pathology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Nira R Pollock
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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Pasco R, Fox SJ, Lachmann M, Meyers LA. Effectiveness of interventions to reduce COVID-19 transmission in schools. Epidemics 2024; 47:100762. [PMID: 38489849 DOI: 10.1016/j.epidem.2024.100762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2023] [Revised: 03/05/2024] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 03/17/2024] Open
Abstract
School reopenings in 2021 and 2022 coincided with the rapid emergence of new SARS-CoV-2 variants in the United States. In-school mitigation efforts varied, depending on local COVID-19 mandates and resources. Using a stochastic age-stratified agent-based model of SARS-CoV-2 transmission, we estimate the impacts of multiple in-school strategies on both infection rates and absenteeism, relative to a baseline scenario in which only symptomatic cases are tested and positive tests trigger a 10-day isolation of the case and 10-day quarantine of their household and classroom. We find that monthly asymptomatic screening coupled with the 10-day isolation and quarantine period is expected to avert 55.4% of infections while increasing absenteeism by 104.3%. Replacing quarantine with test-to-stay would reduce absenteeism by 66.3% (while hardly impacting infection rates), but would require roughly 10-fold more testing resources. Alternatively, vaccination or mask wearing by 50% of the student body is expected to avert 54.1% or 43.1% of infections while decreasing absenteeism by 34.1% or 27.4%, respectively. Separating students into classrooms based on mask usage is expected to reduce infection risks among those who wear masks (by 23.1%), exacerbate risks among those who do not (by 27.8%), but have little impact on overall risk. A combined strategy of monthly screening, household and classroom quarantine, a 50% vaccination rate, and a 50% masking rate (in mixed classrooms) is expected to avert 81.7% of infections while increasing absenteeism by 90.6%. During future public health emergencies, such analyses can inform the rapid design of resource-constrained strategies that mitigate both public health and educational risks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Remy Pasco
- Integrative Biology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX,USA
| | - Spencer J Fox
- Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Michael Lachmann
- Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Lauren Ancel Meyers
- Integrative Biology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX,USA; Santa Fe Institute, Santa Fe, NM, USA.
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Mwendwa F, Kanji A, Bukhari AR, Khan U, Sadiqa A, Mushtaq Z, Nasir N, Mahmood SF, Aamir UB, Hasan Z. Shift in SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern from Delta to Omicron was associated with reduced hospitalizations, increased risk of breakthrough infections but lesser disease severity. J Infect Public Health 2024; 17:1100-1107. [PMID: 38714122 PMCID: PMC11142923 DOI: 10.1016/j.jiph.2024.04.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2023] [Revised: 04/24/2024] [Accepted: 04/28/2024] [Indexed: 05/09/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND COVID-19 epidemiology changed with the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOC). Pakistan administered mostly inactivated vaccines. We investigated the association between VOC and breakthrough infections in a mixed-vaccination-status population of Karachi. METHODS We investigated SARS-CoV-2 VOC tested in 392 respiratory specimens collected between May and December 2021. Data for age, sex, hospital admission, vaccinations, together with CT values of the diagnostic PCR test were analyzed. RESULTS The median age of COVID-19 cases tested was 40 (27-57) years and 43.4% were female. Delta variants were most common (56.4%) followed by Alpha (15.9%), Omicron (12.2%), Beta/Gamma (11.3%), and others (4.3%). Eighteen percent of cases were hospitalized whereby, predominant VOC were Beta/Gamma (40.8%), Alpha (35.2%) and Delta (22.5%). Overall, 55.4% of individuals were fully vaccinated, 7.4% were partially vaccinated and 37.2% were unvaccinated. Most (74.6%) inpatients were unvaccinated. Vaccines comprised inactivated (85.34%), single-shot vector (8.62%), two-shot vector (3.02%) and mRNA (3.02%) types. Omicron variants showed lower viral loads as compared to Alpha, Beta/Gamma, and Delta (p = 0.017). The risk of infection with Delta and Omicron variants was higher, 8 weeks after vaccination. The majority of those with breakthrough infections after receiving inactivated vaccines acquired COVID-19 within 4 months of vaccination. CONCLUSION Our data highlights the shifting of VOC from Delta to Omicron during 2021 and that COVID-19 vaccinations reduced both hospitalizations and viral transmission. It informs on the increased risk of breakthrough infection within 8 weeks of vaccination, indicating the need for booster vaccinations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fridah Mwendwa
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, The Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Akbar Kanji
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, The Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Ali Raza Bukhari
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, The Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Unab Khan
- Department of Family Medicine, The Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Ayesha Sadiqa
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, The Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Zain Mushtaq
- Department of Family Medicine, The Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Nosheen Nasir
- Department of Family Medicine, The Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan
| | | | | | - Zahra Hasan
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, The Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan.
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6
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Liu LL, Liao YW, Yu XH, Rong L, Chen BG, Chen G, Zeng GK, Yang LY. Clinical characteristics and prognostic factors of COVID-19 infection among cancer patients during the December 2022 - February 2023 Omicron variant outbreak. Front Med (Lausanne) 2024; 11:1401439. [PMID: 38873204 PMCID: PMC11171418 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2024.1401439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2024] [Accepted: 05/16/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Objective To analyze the clinical characteristics and prognostic impacts of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron infection among cancer inpatients during the December 2022 - February 2023 surge, in order to provide scientific evidence for clinical treatment and prevention and control measures. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical features, prognosis, and vaccination status of cancer in-patients infected with the Omicron variant during the COVID-19 pandemic of December 2022 - February 2023. Results A total of 137 cancer inpatients were included in the study, with a median age of 61 years, and 75 patients (54.74%) were male. The main symptoms were cough (69 cases, 50.36%), expectoration (60 cases, 43.80%), and fever (53 cases, 39.69%). Chest CT examination revealed bilateral pneumonia in 47 cases (34.31%, 47/137) and pleural effusion in 24 cases (17.52%, 24/137). Among the cancer patients, 116 cases (84.67%, 116/137) had solid tumors, and 21 cases (15.33%, 21/137) had hematologic malignancies, with the main types being breast cancer (25 cases, 18.25%) and lung cancer (24 cases, 17.52%). Among the cancer patients, 46 cases (33.58%) were asymptomatic, 81 cases (59.12%) had mild disease, 10 cases (7.30%) had severe infection, and 8 cases (5.84%) died. A total of 91 patients (66.42%) had been vaccinated, with 58 patients (42.34%) receiving three doses. Multivariate analysis showed that cerebral infarction and hypoproteinemia were risk factors for death from COVID-19 infection. Conclusion Cancer patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 Omicron typically exhibit mild disease manifestations, but some cancer patients infected with the Omicron variant might progress to severe illness, and even death, necessitating close monitoring and attention during the early stages of infection. Additionally, the presence of cerebral infarction and hypoproteinemia significantly increases the risk of death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-Li Liu
- Precision Medical Laboratory Center, People’s Hospital of Yangjiang Affiliated to Guangdong Medical University, Yangjiang, Guangdong, China
- Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease of Yangjiang, People’s Hospital of Yangjiang Affiliated to Guangdong Medical University, Yangjiang, Guangdong, China
- Yangjiang Branch of Biochip Beijing National Engineering Research Center, People’s Hospital of Yangjiang Affiliated to Guangdong Medical University, Yangjiang, Guangdong, China
| | - Yu-Wei Liao
- Precision Medical Laboratory Center, People’s Hospital of Yangjiang Affiliated to Guangdong Medical University, Yangjiang, Guangdong, China
- Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease of Yangjiang, People’s Hospital of Yangjiang Affiliated to Guangdong Medical University, Yangjiang, Guangdong, China
- Yangjiang Branch of Biochip Beijing National Engineering Research Center, People’s Hospital of Yangjiang Affiliated to Guangdong Medical University, Yangjiang, Guangdong, China
| | - Xiao-Hua Yu
- Precision Medical Laboratory Center, People’s Hospital of Yangjiang Affiliated to Guangdong Medical University, Yangjiang, Guangdong, China
- Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease of Yangjiang, People’s Hospital of Yangjiang Affiliated to Guangdong Medical University, Yangjiang, Guangdong, China
- Yangjiang Branch of Biochip Beijing National Engineering Research Center, People’s Hospital of Yangjiang Affiliated to Guangdong Medical University, Yangjiang, Guangdong, China
| | - Ling Rong
- Department of Respiratory Diseases and Intensive Care Medicine, People’s Hospital of Yangjiang Affiliated to Guangdong Medical University, Yangjiang, Guangdong, China
| | - Bi-Gui Chen
- Department of Respiratory Diseases and Intensive Care Medicine, People’s Hospital of Yangjiang Affiliated to Guangdong Medical University, Yangjiang, Guangdong, China
| | - Gang Chen
- Department of Oncology, People’s Hospital of Yangjiang Affiliated to Guangdong Medical University, Yangjiang, Guangdong, China
| | - Guang-Kuan Zeng
- Precision Medical Laboratory Center, People’s Hospital of Yangjiang Affiliated to Guangdong Medical University, Yangjiang, Guangdong, China
- Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease of Yangjiang, People’s Hospital of Yangjiang Affiliated to Guangdong Medical University, Yangjiang, Guangdong, China
- Yangjiang Branch of Biochip Beijing National Engineering Research Center, People’s Hospital of Yangjiang Affiliated to Guangdong Medical University, Yangjiang, Guangdong, China
| | - Li-Ye Yang
- Precision Medical Laboratory Center, People’s Hospital of Yangjiang Affiliated to Guangdong Medical University, Yangjiang, Guangdong, China
- Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease of Yangjiang, People’s Hospital of Yangjiang Affiliated to Guangdong Medical University, Yangjiang, Guangdong, China
- Yangjiang Branch of Biochip Beijing National Engineering Research Center, People’s Hospital of Yangjiang Affiliated to Guangdong Medical University, Yangjiang, Guangdong, China
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7
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Epstein D, Pérez-Troncoso D, Ruiz-Adame M, Castañeda JA. Public Acceptance of Measures to Control Infectious Diseases Under Different Scenarios of Severity and Transmissibility. VALUE IN HEALTH : THE JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FOR PHARMACOECONOMICS AND OUTCOMES RESEARCH 2024; 27:562-569. [PMID: 38401797 DOI: 10.1016/j.jval.2024.01.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2023] [Revised: 01/05/2024] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 02/26/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Public health measures to control future epidemic threats of contagious disease, such as new variants of COVID-19, may be usefully informed by evidence about how acceptable they are likely to be, and the circumstances that condition this acceptance. This study considers how the acceptability of nonpharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) might depend on scenarios about the severity and transmissibility of the disease. METHODS A telephone survey was conducted among a representative cross-sectional sample of the Spanish adult population. Each respondent was randomly assigned to 1 of 4 possible hypothetical scenarios about the severity and transmissibility of the disease. Participants' responses about the acceptability of 11 NPI under this scenario were analyzed using multivariate regression and latent class cluster analysis. RESULTS A high risk of severe disease increases the acceptability of mask wearing, social distancing outdoors, lockdown, and isolation of infected cases, close contacts, and the vulnerable. A scenario in which the disease is highly transmissible would increase the acceptability of NPI that restrict movement and isolation. Most respondents would broadly accept most NPI in situations when either the severity or transmissibility was high. CONCLUSIONS This study showed that people are more willing to accept NPIs such as mask wearing, social distancing outdoors, lockdown, and isolation in severe disease scenarios. A highly transmissible disease scenario increases the acceptability of NPIs that isolate. A majority would broadly accept NPIs to counter public health emergencies, whereas 3% to 9% of the population would always be strongly against.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Epstein
- Department of Applied Economics, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
| | | | - Manuel Ruiz-Adame
- Department of Applied Economics, University of Granada, Campus of Melilla, Melilla, Spain.
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8
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Fisher LH, Kee JJ, Liu A, Espinosa CM, Randhawa AK, Ludwig J, Magaret CA, Robinson ST, Gilbert PB, Hyrien O, Kublin JG, Rouphael N, Falsey AR, Sobieszczyk ME, El Sahly HM, Grinsztejn B, Gray GE, Kotloff KL, Gay CL, Leav B, Hirsch I, Struyf F, Dunkle LM, Neuzil KM, Corey L, Huang Y, Goepfert PA, Walsh SR, Baden LR, Janes H. SARS-CoV-2 Viral Load in the Nasopharynx at Time of First Infection Among Unvaccinated Individuals: A Secondary Cross-Protocol Analysis of 4 Randomized Trials. JAMA Netw Open 2024; 7:e2412835. [PMID: 38780941 PMCID: PMC11117088 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.12835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Importance SARS-CoV-2 viral load (VL) in the nasopharynx is difficult to quantify and standardize across settings, but it may inform transmission potential and disease severity. Objective To characterize VL at COVID-19 diagnosis among previously uninfected and unvaccinated individuals by evaluating the association of demographic and clinical characteristics, viral variant, and trial with VL, as well as the ability of VL to predict severe disease. Design, Setting, and Participants This secondary cross-protocol analysis used individual-level data from placebo recipients from 4 harmonized, phase 3 COVID-19 vaccine efficacy trials sponsored by Moderna, AstraZeneca, Janssen, and Novavax. Participants were SARS-CoV-2 negative at baseline and acquired COVID-19 during the blinded phase of the trials. The setting included the US, Brazil, South Africa, Colombia, Argentina, Peru, Chile, and Mexico; start dates were July 27, 2020, to December 27, 2020; data cutoff dates were March 26, 2021, to July 30, 2021. Statistical analysis was performed from November 2022 to June 2023. Main Outcomes and Measures Linear regression was used to assess the association of demographic and clinical characteristics, viral variant, and trial with polymerase chain reaction-measured log10 VL in nasal and/or nasopharyngeal swabs taken at the time of COVID-19 diagnosis. Results Among 1667 participants studied (886 [53.1%] male; 995 [59.7%] enrolled in the US; mean [SD] age, 46.7 [14.7] years; 204 [12.2%] aged 65 years or older; 196 [11.8%] American Indian or Alaska Native, 150 [9%] Black or African American, 1112 [66.7%] White; 762 [45.7%] Hispanic or Latino), median (IQR) log10 VL at diagnosis was 6.18 (4.66-7.12) log10 copies/mL. Participant characteristics and viral variant explained only 5.9% of the variability in VL. The independent factor with the highest observed differences was trial: Janssen participants had 0.54 log10 copies/mL lower mean VL vs Moderna participants (95% CI, 0.20 to 0.87 log10 copies/mL lower). In the Janssen study, which captured the largest number of COVID-19 events and variants and used the most intensive post-COVID surveillance, neither VL at diagnosis nor averaged over days 1 to 28 post diagnosis was associated with COVID-19 severity. Conclusions and Relevance In this study of placebo recipients from 4 randomized phase 3 trials, high variability was observed in SARS-CoV-2 VL at the time of COVID-19 diagnosis, and only a fraction was explained by individual participant characteristics or viral variant. These results suggest challenges for future studies of interventions seeking to influence VL and elevates the importance of standardized methods for specimen collection and viral load quantitation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leigh H. Fisher
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, Washington
| | - Jia Jin Kee
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, Washington
| | - Albert Liu
- Bridge HIV, San Francisco Department of Public Health, San Francisco, California
| | | | - April K. Randhawa
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, Washington
| | - James Ludwig
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, Washington
| | - Craig A. Magaret
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, Washington
| | - Samuel T. Robinson
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, Washington
| | - Peter B. Gilbert
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, Washington
| | - Ollivier Hyrien
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, Washington
| | - James G. Kublin
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, Washington
| | | | - Ann R. Falsey
- Infectious Disease Division, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York
| | | | - Hana M. El Sahly
- Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Beatriz Grinsztejn
- Evandro Chagas National Institute of Infectious Diseases-Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Glenda E. Gray
- South African Medical Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Karen L. Kotloff
- Center for Vaccine Development and Global Health, Department of Pediatrics, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore
| | - Cynthia L. Gay
- University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill
| | | | - Ian Hirsch
- Vaccines & Immune Therapies, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Frank Struyf
- Janssen Research and Development, Beerse, Belgium
| | | | - Kathleen M. Neuzil
- Center for Vaccine Development and Global Health, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Lawrence Corey
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, Washington
| | - Yunda Huang
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, Washington
| | - Paul A. Goepfert
- University of Alabama at Birmingham Heersink School of Medicine, Birmingham
| | | | | | - Holly Janes
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, Washington
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9
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Du Z, Wang L, Bai Y, Liu Y, Lau EHY, Galvani AP, Krug RM, Cowling BJ, Meyers LA. A retrospective cohort study of Paxlovid efficacy depending on treatment time in hospitalized COVID-19 patients. eLife 2024; 13:e89801. [PMID: 38622989 PMCID: PMC11078542 DOI: 10.7554/elife.89801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Paxlovid, a SARS-CoV-2 antiviral, not only prevents severe illness but also curtails viral shedding, lowering transmission risks from treated patients. By fitting a mathematical model of within-host Omicron viral dynamics to electronic health records data from 208 hospitalized patients in Hong Kong, we estimate that Paxlovid can inhibit over 90% of viral replication. However, its effectiveness critically depends on the timing of treatment. If treatment is initiated three days after symptoms first appear, we estimate a 17% chance of a post-treatment viral rebound and a 12% (95% CI: 0-16%) reduction in overall infectiousness for non-rebound cases. Earlier treatment significantly elevates the risk of rebound without further reducing infectiousness, whereas starting beyond five days reduces its efficacy in curbing peak viral shedding. Among the 104 patients who received Paxlovid, 62% began treatment within an optimal three-to-five-day day window after symptoms appeared. Our findings indicate that broader global access to Paxlovid, coupled with appropriately timed treatment, can mitigate the severity and transmission of SARS-Cov-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhanwei Du
- WHO Collaborating Center for Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Control, School of Public Health, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative RegionHong KongChina
- Laboratory of Data Discovery for Health LimitedHong KongChina
| | - Lin Wang
- Department of Genetics, University of CambridgeCambridgeUnited Kingdom
| | - Yuan Bai
- WHO Collaborating Center for Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Control, School of Public Health, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative RegionHong KongChina
- Laboratory of Data Discovery for Health LimitedHong KongChina
| | - Yunhu Liu
- WHO Collaborating Center for Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Control, School of Public Health, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative RegionHong KongChina
| | - Eric HY Lau
- WHO Collaborating Center for Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Control, School of Public Health, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative RegionHong KongChina
- Laboratory of Data Discovery for Health LimitedHong KongChina
- Center for Infectious Disease Modeling and Analysis, Yale School of Public HealthNew HavenUnited States
| | - Alison P Galvani
- Center for Infectious Disease Modeling and Analysis, Yale School of Public HealthNew HavenUnited States
| | - Robert M Krug
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, John Ring LaMontagne Center for Infectious Disease Institute for Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Texas at AustinAustinUnited States
| | - Benjamin John Cowling
- WHO Collaborating Center for Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Control, School of Public Health, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative RegionHong KongChina
- Laboratory of Data Discovery for Health LimitedHong KongChina
| | - Lauren A Meyers
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Texas at AustinAustinUnited States
- Santa Fe InstituteSanta FeUnited States
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10
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Owens K, Esmaeili S, Schiffer JT. Heterogeneous SARS-CoV-2 kinetics due to variable timing and intensity of immune responses. JCI Insight 2024; 9:e176286. [PMID: 38573774 PMCID: PMC11141931 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.176286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024] Open
Abstract
The viral kinetics of documented SARS-CoV-2 infections exhibit a high degree of interindividual variability. We identified 6 distinct viral shedding patterns, which differed according to peak viral load, duration, expansion rate, and clearance rate, by clustering data from 768 infections in the National Basketball Association cohort. Omicron variant infections in previously vaccinated individuals generally led to lower cumulative shedding levels of SARS-CoV-2 than other scenarios. We then developed a mechanistic mathematical model that recapitulated 1,510 observed viral trajectories, including viral rebound and cases of reinfection. Lower peak viral loads were explained by a more rapid and sustained transition of susceptible cells to a refractory state during infection as well as by an earlier and more potent late, cytolytic immune response. Our results suggest that viral elimination occurs more rapidly during Omicron infection, following vaccination, and following reinfection due to enhanced innate and acquired immune responses. Because viral load has been linked with COVID-19 severity and transmission risk, our model provides a framework for understanding the wide range of observed SARS-CoV-2 infection outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine Owens
- Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Vaccine and Infectious Diseases Division, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Shadisadat Esmaeili
- Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Vaccine and Infectious Diseases Division, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Joshua T. Schiffer
- Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Vaccine and Infectious Diseases Division, Seattle, Washington, USA
- University of Washington, Department of Medicine, Seattle, Washington, USA
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11
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Chen D, Cowling BJ, Ainslie KEC, Lin Y, Wong JY, Lau EHY, Wu P, Nealon J. Association of COVID-19 vaccination with duration of hospitalization in older adults in Hong Kong. Vaccine 2024; 42:2385-2393. [PMID: 38448323 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2024.02.074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2023] [Revised: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 02/24/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The association between COVID-19 vaccination and length of hospital stay may provide further insight into vaccination benefits, but few studies have investigated such associations in detail. We aimed to investigate the association between COVID-19 vaccination and length of hospital stay in COVID-19 patients during Omicron waves in Hong Kong, and explore potential predictors. METHODS This retrospective cohort study was conducted on local patients aged ≥60 years who were admitted due to COVID-19 infection in Hong Kong in 2022, from 1 February to 22 November, and with 28 days of follow-up since admission. The exposure was either not vaccinated; or having received 2/3/4 doses of CoronaVac (Sinovac); or 2/3/4 doses of BNT162b2 (BioNTech/Fosun Pharma/Pfizer). Length of stay in hospital was the main outcome. Accelerated failure time models were used to quantify variation in hospital stay for vaccinated compared with unvaccinated patients, accounting for age, sex, comorbidity, type of vaccine and number of doses received, care home residence and admission timing; stratified by age groups and epidemic waves. RESULTS This study included 32,398 patients aged 60 years and above for main analysis, their median (IQR) age was 79 (71-87) years, 53% were men, and 40% were unvaccinated. The patients were stratified by confirmation prior to or since 23 May 2022, resulting in a sample size of 15,803 and 16,595 in those two waves respectively. Vaccinated patients were found to have 13-39% shorter hospital stay compared to unvaccinated patients. More vaccine doses received were associated with shorter hospital stay, and BNT162b2 recipients had slightly shorter hospital stays than CoronaVac recipients. CONCLUSION Vaccination was associated with reduced hospital stay in breakthrough infections. Increased vaccination uptake in older adults may improve hospital bed turnover and public health outcomes especially during large community epidemics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongxuan Chen
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Control, School of Public Health, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; Laboratory of Data Discovery for Health Limited, Hong Kong Science and Technology Park, New Territories, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
| | - Benjamin J Cowling
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Control, School of Public Health, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; Laboratory of Data Discovery for Health Limited, Hong Kong Science and Technology Park, New Territories, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
| | - Kylie E C Ainslie
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Control, School of Public Health, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, the Netherlands
| | - Yun Lin
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Control, School of Public Health, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
| | - Jessica Y Wong
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Control, School of Public Health, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
| | - Eric H Y Lau
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Control, School of Public Health, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; Laboratory of Data Discovery for Health Limited, Hong Kong Science and Technology Park, New Territories, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
| | - Peng Wu
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Control, School of Public Health, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; Laboratory of Data Discovery for Health Limited, Hong Kong Science and Technology Park, New Territories, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
| | - Joshua Nealon
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Control, School of Public Health, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
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12
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Jacob IB, Gemmiti A, Xiong W, Reynolds E, Nicholas B, Thangamani S, Jia H, Wang G. Human surfactant protein A inhibits SARS-CoV-2 infectivity and alleviates lung injury in a mouse infection model. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1370511. [PMID: 38596675 PMCID: PMC11002091 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1370511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2024] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction SARS coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infects human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (hACE2)-expressing lung epithelial cells through its spike (S) protein. The S protein is highly glycosylated and could be a target for lectins. Surfactant protein A (SP-A) is a collagen-containing C-type lectin, expressed by mucosal epithelial cells and mediates its antiviral activities by binding to viral glycoproteins. Objective This study examined the mechanistic role of human SP-A in SARS-CoV-2 infectivity and lung injury in vitro and in vivo. Results Human SP-A can bind both SARS-CoV-2 S protein and hACE2 in a dose-dependent manner (p<0.01). Pre-incubation of SARS-CoV-2 (Delta) with human SP-A inhibited virus binding and entry and reduced viral load in human lung epithelial cells, evidenced by the dose-dependent decrease in viral RNA, nucleocapsid protein (NP), and titer (p<0.01). We observed significant weight loss, increased viral burden, and mortality rate, and more severe lung injury in SARS-CoV-2 infected hACE2/SP-A KO mice (SP-A deficient mice with hACE2 transgene) compared to infected hACE2/mSP-A (K18) and hACE2/hSP-A1 (6A2) mice (with both hACE2 and human SP-A1 transgenes) 6 Days Post-infection (DPI). Furthermore, increased SP-A level was observed in the saliva of COVID-19 patients compared to healthy controls (p<0.05), but severe COVID-19 patients had relatively lower SP-A levels than moderate COVID-19 patients (p<0.05). Discussion Collectively, human SP-A attenuates SARS-CoV-2-induced acute lung injury (ALI) by directly binding to the S protein and hACE2, and inhibiting its infectivity; and SP-A level in the saliva of COVID-19 patients might serve as a biomarker for COVID-19 severity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ikechukwu B. Jacob
- Department of Surgery, the State University of New York (SUNY) Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY, United States
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY, United States
| | - Amanda Gemmiti
- Department of Otolaryngology, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY, United States
| | - Weichuan Xiong
- Department of Surgery, the State University of New York (SUNY) Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY, United States
| | - Erin Reynolds
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY, United States
| | - Brian Nicholas
- Department of Otolaryngology, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY, United States
| | - Saravanan Thangamani
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY, United States
| | - Hongpeng Jia
- Department of Surgery, Johns-Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Guirong Wang
- Department of Surgery, the State University of New York (SUNY) Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY, United States
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY, United States
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13
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LaBute B, Fong J, Ziaee F, Gombar R, Stover M, Beaudin T, Badalova M, Geng Q, Corchis-Scott R, Podadera A, Lago K, Xu Z, Lim F, Chiu F, Fu M, Nie X, Wu Y, Quan C, Hamm C, McKay RM, Ng K, Porter LA, Tong Y. Evaluating and optimizing Acid-pH and Direct Lysis RNA extraction for SARS-CoV-2 RNA detection in whole saliva. Sci Rep 2024; 14:7017. [PMID: 38527999 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-54183-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 03/27/2024] Open
Abstract
COVID-19 has been a global public health and economic challenge. Screening for the SARS-CoV-2 virus has been a key part of disease mitigation while the world continues to move forward, and lessons learned will benefit disease detection beyond COVID-19. Saliva specimen collection offers a less invasive, time- and cost-effective alternative to standard nasopharyngeal swabs. We optimized two different methods of saliva sample processing for RT-qPCR testing. Two methods were optimized to provide two cost-efficient ways to do testing for a minimum of four samples by pooling in a 2.0 mL tube and decrease the need for more highly trained personnel. Acid-pH-based RNA extraction method can be done without the need for expensive kits. Direct Lysis is a quick one-step reaction that can be applied quickly. Our optimized Acid-pH and Direct Lysis protocols are reliable and reproducible, detecting the beta-2 microglobulin (B2M) mRNA in saliva as an internal control from 97 to 96.7% of samples, respectively. The cycle threshold (Ct) values for B2M were significantly higher in the Direct Lysis protocol than in the Acid-pH protocol. The limit of detection for N1 gene was higher in Direct Lysis at ≤ 5 copies/μL than Acid-pH. Saliva samples collected over the course of several days from two COVID-positive individuals demonstrated Ct values for N1 that were consistently higher from Direct Lysis compared to Acid-pH. Collectively, this work supports that each of these techniques can be used to screen for SARS-CoV-2 in saliva for a cost-effective screening platform.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brayden LaBute
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Windsor, Windsor, ON, Canada
| | - Jackie Fong
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Windsor, Windsor, ON, Canada
- WE-SPARK Health Institute, University of Windsor, Windsor, ON, Canada
| | - Farinaz Ziaee
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Windsor, Windsor, ON, Canada
| | - Robert Gombar
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Windsor, Windsor, ON, Canada
| | - Mathew Stover
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Windsor, Windsor, ON, Canada
| | - Terry Beaudin
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Windsor, Windsor, ON, Canada
| | - Maria Badalova
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Windsor, Windsor, ON, Canada
| | - Qiudi Geng
- Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research, University of Windsor, Windsor, ON, Canada
| | - Ryland Corchis-Scott
- Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research, University of Windsor, Windsor, ON, Canada
| | - Ana Podadera
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Windsor, Windsor, ON, Canada
| | - Kyle Lago
- WE-SPARK Health Institute, University of Windsor, Windsor, ON, Canada
| | - ZhenHuan Xu
- Aumintec Research Inc., Richmond Hill, ON, Canada
| | - Fievel Lim
- Aumintec Research Inc., Richmond Hill, ON, Canada
| | - Felix Chiu
- Aumintec Research Inc., Richmond Hill, ON, Canada
| | - Minghua Fu
- Aumintec Research Inc., Richmond Hill, ON, Canada
| | - Xiaofeng Nie
- Aumintec Research Inc., Richmond Hill, ON, Canada
| | - Yuanmin Wu
- Aumintec Research Inc., Richmond Hill, ON, Canada
| | | | - Caroline Hamm
- WE-SPARK Health Institute, University of Windsor, Windsor, ON, Canada
- Windsor Regional Hospital, Windsor, ON, Canada
| | - R Michael McKay
- Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research, University of Windsor, Windsor, ON, Canada
| | - Kenneth Ng
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Windsor, Windsor, ON, Canada
- WE-SPARK Health Institute, University of Windsor, Windsor, ON, Canada
| | - Lisa A Porter
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Windsor, Windsor, ON, Canada.
- WE-SPARK Health Institute, University of Windsor, Windsor, ON, Canada.
| | - Yufeng Tong
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Windsor, Windsor, ON, Canada.
- WE-SPARK Health Institute, University of Windsor, Windsor, ON, Canada.
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14
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Cohen C, Kleynhans J, von Gottberg A, McMorrow ML, Wolter N, Bhiman JN, Moyes J, du Plessis M, Carrim M, Buys A, Martinson NA, Kahn K, Tollman S, Lebina L, Wafawanaka F, du Toit J, Gómez-Olivé FX, Dawood FS, Mkhencele T, Tempia S. Characteristics of infections with ancestral, Beta and Delta variants of SARS-CoV-2 in the PHIRST-C community cohort study, South Africa, 2020-2021. BMC Infect Dis 2024; 24:336. [PMID: 38515050 PMCID: PMC10956206 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-024-09209-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Data on the characteristics of individuals with mild and asymptomatic infections with different SARS-CoV-2 variants are limited. We therefore compared the characteristics of individuals infected with ancestral, Beta and Delta SARS-CoV-2 variants in South Africa. METHODS We conducted a prospective cohort study in a rural and an urban site during July 2020-August 2021. Mid-turbinate nasal swabs were collected twice-weekly from household members irrespective of symptoms and tested for SARS-CoV-2 using real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR). Differences in demographic and clinical characteristics, shedding and cycle threshold (Ct) value of infection episodes by variant were evaluated using multinomial regression. Overall and age-specific incidence rates of infection were compared by variant. RESULTS We included 1200 individuals from 222 households and 648 rRT-PCR-confirmed infection episodes (66, 10% ancestral, 260, 40% Beta, 322, 50% Delta). Symptomatic proportion was similar for ancestral (7, 11%), Beta (44, 17%), and Delta (46, 14%) infections (p=0.4). After accounting for previous infection, peak incidence shifted to younger age groups in successive waves (40-59 years ancestral, 19-39 years Beta, 13-18 years Delta). On multivariable analysis, compared to ancestral, Beta infection was more common in individuals aged 5-12 years (vs 19-39)(adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 2.6, 95% confidence interval (CI)1.1-6.6) and PCR cycle threshold (Ct) value <30 (vs >35)(aOR 3.2, 95%CI 1.3-7.9), while Delta was more common in individuals aged <5 (aOR 6.7, 95%CI1.4-31.2) and 5-12 years (aOR 6.6 95%CI2.6-16.7)(vs 19-39) and Ct value <30 (aOR 4.5, 95%CI 1.3-15.5) and 30-35 (aOR 6.0, 95%CI 2.3-15.7)(vs >35). CONCLUSIONS Consecutive SARS-CoV-2 waves with Beta and Delta variants were associated with a shift to younger individuals. Beta and Delta infections were associated with higher peak viral loads, potentially increasing infectiousness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheryl Cohen
- Centre for Respiratory Diseases and Meningitis, National Institute for Communicable Diseases of the National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg, South Africa.
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.
| | - Jackie Kleynhans
- Centre for Respiratory Diseases and Meningitis, National Institute for Communicable Diseases of the National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg, South Africa
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Anne von Gottberg
- Centre for Respiratory Diseases and Meningitis, National Institute for Communicable Diseases of the National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg, South Africa
- School of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Meredith L McMorrow
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) COVID-19 Response, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Nicole Wolter
- Centre for Respiratory Diseases and Meningitis, National Institute for Communicable Diseases of the National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg, South Africa
- School of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Jinal N Bhiman
- Centre for Respiratory Diseases and Meningitis, National Institute for Communicable Diseases of the National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg, South Africa
- School of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Jocelyn Moyes
- Centre for Respiratory Diseases and Meningitis, National Institute for Communicable Diseases of the National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg, South Africa
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Mignon du Plessis
- Centre for Respiratory Diseases and Meningitis, National Institute for Communicable Diseases of the National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg, South Africa
- School of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Maimuna Carrim
- Centre for Respiratory Diseases and Meningitis, National Institute for Communicable Diseases of the National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg, South Africa
- School of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Amelia Buys
- Centre for Respiratory Diseases and Meningitis, National Institute for Communicable Diseases of the National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Neil A Martinson
- Perinatal HIV Research Unit, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- DST/NRF Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Tuberculosis Research, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Johns Hopkins University Center for TB Research, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Kathleen Kahn
- MRC/Wits Rural Public Health and Health Transitions Research Unit (Agincourt), Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Stephen Tollman
- MRC/Wits Rural Public Health and Health Transitions Research Unit (Agincourt), Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Limakatso Lebina
- Perinatal HIV Research Unit, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Africa Health Research Institute, Mtubatuba, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
| | - Floidy Wafawanaka
- MRC/Wits Rural Public Health and Health Transitions Research Unit (Agincourt), Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Jacques du Toit
- MRC/Wits Rural Public Health and Health Transitions Research Unit (Agincourt), Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Francesc Xavier Gómez-Olivé
- MRC/Wits Rural Public Health and Health Transitions Research Unit (Agincourt), Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Fatimah S Dawood
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) COVID-19 Response, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Thulisa Mkhencele
- Centre for Respiratory Diseases and Meningitis, National Institute for Communicable Diseases of the National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Stefano Tempia
- Centre for Respiratory Diseases and Meningitis, National Institute for Communicable Diseases of the National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg, South Africa
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) COVID-19 Response, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
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15
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Dai X, Acosta N, Lu X, Hubert CRJ, Lee J, Frankowski K, Bautista MA, Waddell BJ, Du K, McCalder J, Meddings J, Ruecker N, Williamson T, Southern DA, Hollman J, Achari G, Ryan MC, Hrudey SE, Lee BE, Pang X, Clark RG, Parkins MD, Chekouo T. A Bayesian framework for modeling COVID-19 case numbers through longitudinal monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in wastewater. Stat Med 2024; 43:1153-1169. [PMID: 38221776 DOI: 10.1002/sim.10009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2023] [Revised: 11/11/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/16/2024]
Abstract
Wastewater-based surveillance has become an important tool for research groups and public health agencies investigating and monitoring the COVID-19 pandemic and other public health emergencies including other pathogens and drug abuse. While there is an emerging body of evidence exploring the possibility of predicting COVID-19 infections from wastewater signals, there remain significant challenges for statistical modeling. Longitudinal observations of viral copies in municipal wastewater can be influenced by noisy datasets and missing values with irregular and sparse samplings. We propose an integrative Bayesian framework to predict daily positive cases from weekly wastewater observations with missing values via functional data analysis techniques. In a unified procedure, the proposed analysis models severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 RNA wastewater signals as a realization of a smooth process with error and combines the smooth process with COVID-19 cases to evaluate the prediction of positive cases. We demonstrate that the proposed framework can achieve these objectives with high predictive accuracies through simulated and observed real data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaotian Dai
- Department of Mathematics, Illinois State University, Normal, Illinois, USA
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Nicole Acosta
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Infectious Diseases, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Xuewen Lu
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Casey R J Hubert
- Department of Biological Science, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Jangwoo Lee
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Infectious Diseases, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Department of Biological Science, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Kevin Frankowski
- Advancing Canadian Water Assets, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Maria A Bautista
- Department of Biological Science, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Barbara J Waddell
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Infectious Diseases, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Kristine Du
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Infectious Diseases, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Janine McCalder
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Infectious Diseases, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Department of Biological Science, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Jon Meddings
- Department of Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Alberta Health Services, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Norma Ruecker
- Water Services, City of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Tyler Williamson
- Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Centre for Health Informatics, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Danielle A Southern
- Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Centre for Health Informatics, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Jordan Hollman
- Department of Geosciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Gopal Achari
- Department of Civil Engineering, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - M Cathryn Ryan
- Department of Geosciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Steve E Hrudey
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Bonita E Lee
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Xiaoli Pang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Rhonda G Clark
- Department of Biological Science, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Michael D Parkins
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Infectious Diseases, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Department of Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Alberta Health Services, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Thierry Chekouo
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Division of Biostatistics and Health Data Science, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
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16
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Hashan MR, Smoll N, Chapman G, King C, Walker J, Kirk M, Akbar D, Booy R, Khandaker G. Epidemiology of COVID-19 outbreaks in aged care facilities during postvaccine period: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ Open 2024; 14:e073555. [PMID: 38485480 PMCID: PMC10941149 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-073555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 03/17/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We aimed to define the epidemiology of COVID-19 outbreaks in aged care facilities (ACFs) during the postvaccine period, including vaccine effectiveness (VE) for this high-risk group. DESIGN Systematic review and meta-analysis. DATA SOURCES Ovid Medline, Ovid Embase, Scopus, Web of Science and Cochrane databases were searched through 1 September 2023. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA Any original observational studies and trials reporting data on COVID-19 outbreaks among the partially/fully vaccinated residents from ACFs during or after the worldwide implementation of vaccine roll-out. DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS We estimated the attack rate, case fatality rate, mortality rate and VE during postvaccine period. Random effect model was adopted for meta-analysis. Quality assessment on all included studies was performed using the Meta Quality Appraisal Tool. RESULTS 38 articles were included from 12 countries reporting 79 outbreaks with 1708 confirmed cases of COVID-19 from 78 ACFs. The pooled attack rate was 28% (95% CI 20% to 37%) among the fully vaccinated residents. Two-thirds (62.5%) of the index cases were unvaccinated healthcare professionals (eg, physicians, nurses) and caregivers. Unvaccinated residents had a significantly higher rates (12%) (95% CI 7% to 19%) of mortality compared with the vaccinated residents (2%) (95% CI% 1 to 4%) and the post-COVID-19 vaccine estimates for case fatality rate (13% vs 23%) and hospitalisation rate (17% vs 37%) were substantially lower. VE in preventing disease among residents in ACFs was 73% (95% CI 49% to 86). Overall, the included studies were heterogeneous in nature, however, the risk of bias was low to moderate. CONCLUSIONS Our study reaffirmed the impact of vaccination as a key public health measure to minimise the burden of COVID-19 in ACFs. Facilities with higher crowding indexes should be prioritised for vaccination and should advocate for higher vaccination targets among staff and residents as a critical intervention strategy to minimise disease burden in this vulnerable population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Rashidul Hashan
- Central Queensland University, Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia
- Central Queensland Public Health Unit, Central Queensland Hospital and Health Service, Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia
| | - Nicolas Smoll
- Central Queensland Hospital and Health Service, Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia
| | - Gwenda Chapman
- Central Queensland Public Health Unit, Central Queensland Hospital and Health Service, Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia
| | - Catherine King
- The University of Sydney Faculty of Medicine and Health, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Jacina Walker
- Central Queensland Public Health Unit, Central Queensland Hospital and Health Service, Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia
| | - Michael Kirk
- Central Queensland Hospital and Health Service, Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia
| | - Delwar Akbar
- School of Business and Law, Central Queensland University, Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia
| | - Robert Booy
- National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance of Vaccine Preventable Diseases, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Gulam Khandaker
- Central Queensland Public Health Unit, Central Queensland Hospital and Health Service, Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia
- Research Division, Central Queensland University, Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia
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17
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Mostafa HH. Is It Possible to Test for Viral Infectiousness?: The Use Case of (SARS-CoV-2). Clin Lab Med 2024; 44:85-93. [PMID: 38280800 DOI: 10.1016/j.cll.2023.10.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2024]
Abstract
Identifying and managing individuals with active or chronic disease, implementing appropriate infection control measures, and mitigating the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the need for tests of infectiousness. The gold standard for assessing infectiousness has been the recovery of infectious virus in cell culture. Using cycle threshold values, antigen testing, and SARS-CoV-2, replication intermediate strands were used to assess infectiousness, with many limitations. Infectiousness can be influenced by host factors (eg, preexisting immune responses) and virus factors (eg, evolution).
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Affiliation(s)
- Heba H Mostafa
- Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Meyer B-121F, 600 North Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA.
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18
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Prelog M, Jeske SD, Asam C, Fuchs A, Wieser A, Gall C, Wytopil M, Mueller-Schmucker SM, Beileke S, Goekkaya M, Kling E, Geldmacher C, Rubio-Acero R, Plank M, Christa C, Willmann A, Vu M, Einhauser S, Weps M, Lampl BMJ, Almanzar G, Kousha K, Schwägerl V, Liebl B, Weber B, Drescher J, Scheidt J, Gefeller O, Messmann H, Protzer U, Liese J, Hoelscher M, Wagner R, Überla K, Steininger P. Clinical and immunological benefits of full primary COVID-19 vaccination in individuals with SARS-CoV-2 breakthrough infections: A prospective cohort study in non-hospitalized adults. J Clin Virol 2024; 170:105622. [PMID: 38091664 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcv.2023.105622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2023] [Revised: 11/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOC) may result in breakthrough infections (BTIs) in vaccinated individuals. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of full primary (two-dose) COVID-19 vaccination with wild-type-based SARS-CoV-2 vaccines on symptoms and immunogenicity of SARS-CoV-2 VOC BTIs. METHODS In a longitudinal multicenter controlled cohort study in Bavaria, Germany, COVID-19 vaccinated and unvaccinated non-hospitalized individuals were prospectively enrolled within 14 days of a PCR-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection. Individuals were visited weekly up to 4 times, performing a structured record of medical data and viral load assessment. SARS-CoV-2-specific antibody response was characterized by anti-spike-(S)- and anti-nucleocapsid-(N)-antibody concentrations, anti-S-IgG avidity and neutralization capacity. RESULTS A total of 300 individuals (212 BTIs, 88 non-BTIs) were included with VOC Alpha or Delta SARS-CoV-2 infections. Full primary COVID-19 vaccination provided a significant effectiveness against five symptoms (relative risk reduction): fever (33 %), cough (21 %), dysgeusia (22 %), dizziness (52 %) and nausea/vomiting (48 %). Full primary vaccinated individuals showed significantly higher 50 % inhibitory concentration (IC50) values against the infecting VOC compared to unvaccinated individuals at week 1 (269 vs. 56, respectively), and weeks 5-7 (1,917 vs. 932, respectively) with significantly higher relative anti-S-IgG avidity (78% vs. 27 % at week 4, respectively). CONCLUSIONS Full primary COVID-19 vaccination reduced symptom frequencies in non-hospitalized individuals with BTIs and elicited a more rapid and longer lasting neutralization capacity against the infecting VOC compared to unvaccinated individuals. These results support the recommendation to offer at least full primary vaccination to all adults to reduce disease severity caused by immune escape-variants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Prelog
- Pediatric Rheumatology / Special Immunology, Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Samuel D Jeske
- Institute of Virology, Technical University of Munich, School of Medicine, Munich, Germany
| | - Claudia Asam
- Institute of Clinical Microbiology and Hygiene, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Andre Fuchs
- Internal Medicine III - Gastroenterology and Infectious Diseases, University Hospital of Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
| | - Andreas Wieser
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Christine Gall
- Department of Medical Informatics, Biometry and Epidemiology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Monika Wytopil
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Sandra M Mueller-Schmucker
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Stephanie Beileke
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Mehmet Goekkaya
- Environmental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Augsburg, Institute of Environmental Medicine Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Augsburg, Germany
| | - Elisabeth Kling
- Institute of Laboratory Medicine and Microbiology University Hospital Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
| | - Christof Geldmacher
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) Munich, Munich, Germany; German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Raquel Rubio-Acero
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Michael Plank
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Catharina Christa
- Institute of Virology, Technical University of Munich, School of Medicine, Munich, Germany
| | - Annika Willmann
- Institute of Virology, Technical University of Munich, School of Medicine, Munich, Germany
| | - Martin Vu
- Institute of Virology, Technical University of Munich, School of Medicine, Munich, Germany
| | - Sebastian Einhauser
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, Molecular Microbiology (Virology), University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Manuela Weps
- Institute of Clinical Microbiology and Hygiene, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Benedikt M J Lampl
- Regensburg Department of Public Health, Division of Infection Control and Prevention, Regensburg, Germany; Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Giovanni Almanzar
- Pediatric Rheumatology / Special Immunology, Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Kimia Kousha
- Pediatric Rheumatology / Special Immunology, Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Valeria Schwägerl
- Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Bernhard Liebl
- Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority (LGL), Oberschleißheim, Germany
| | - Beatrix Weber
- Institute for Information Systems, University of Applied Sciences Hof, Hof, Germany
| | | | - Jörg Scheidt
- Institute for Information Systems, University of Applied Sciences Hof, Hof, Germany
| | - Olaf Gefeller
- Department of Medical Informatics, Biometry and Epidemiology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Helmut Messmann
- Internal Medicine III - Gastroenterology and Infectious Diseases, University Hospital of Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
| | - Ulrike Protzer
- Institute of Virology, Technical University of Munich, School of Medicine, Munich, Germany; Institute of Virology, Helmholtz Munich, Munich, Germany, and German Center for Infection Research, Munich partner site
| | - Johannes Liese
- Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Michael Hoelscher
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) Munich, Munich, Germany; German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Ralf Wagner
- Institute of Clinical Microbiology and Hygiene, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany; Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, Molecular Microbiology (Virology), University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Klaus Überla
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Philipp Steininger
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany.
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19
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Ling-Hu T, Simons LM, Dean TJ, Rios-Guzman E, Caputo MT, Alisoltani A, Qi C, Malczynski M, Blanke T, Jennings LJ, Ison MG, Achenbach CJ, Larkin PM, Kaul KL, Lorenzo-Redondo R, Ozer EA, Hultquist JF. Integration of individualized and population-level molecular epidemiology data to model COVID-19 outcomes. Cell Rep Med 2024; 5:101361. [PMID: 38232695 PMCID: PMC10829796 DOI: 10.1016/j.xcrm.2023.101361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2022] [Revised: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants with enhanced transmissibility and immune escape have emerged periodically throughout the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, but the impact of these variants on disease severity has remained unclear. In this single-center, retrospective cohort study, we examined the association between SARS-CoV-2 clade and patient outcome over a two-year period in Chicago, Illinois. Between March 2020 and March 2022, 14,252 residual diagnostic specimens were collected from SARS-CoV-2-positive inpatients and outpatients alongside linked clinical and demographic metadata, of which 2,114 were processed for viral whole-genome sequencing. When controlling for patient demographics and vaccination status, several viral clades were associated with risk for hospitalization, but this association was negated by the inclusion of population-level confounders, including case count, sampling bias, and shifting standards of care. These data highlight the importance of integrating non-virological factors into disease severity and outcome models for the accurate assessment of patient risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ted Ling-Hu
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA; Center for Pathogen Genomics and Microbial Evolution, Northwestern University Havey Institute for Global Health, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Lacy M Simons
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA; Center for Pathogen Genomics and Microbial Evolution, Northwestern University Havey Institute for Global Health, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Taylor J Dean
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA; Center for Pathogen Genomics and Microbial Evolution, Northwestern University Havey Institute for Global Health, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Estefany Rios-Guzman
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA; Center for Pathogen Genomics and Microbial Evolution, Northwestern University Havey Institute for Global Health, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Matthew T Caputo
- Havey Institute for Global Health, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Arghavan Alisoltani
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA; Center for Pathogen Genomics and Microbial Evolution, Northwestern University Havey Institute for Global Health, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Chao Qi
- Clinical Microbiology Laboratory, Department of Pathology, Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Michael Malczynski
- Clinical Microbiology Laboratory, Department of Pathology, Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Timothy Blanke
- Diagnostic Molecular Biology Laboratory, Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Lawrence J Jennings
- Clinical Microbiology Laboratory, Department of Pathology, Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Michael G Ison
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Chad J Achenbach
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA; Havey Institute for Global Health, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Paige M Larkin
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Northshore University HealthSystem, Evanston, IL 60201, USA
| | - Karen L Kaul
- Department of Pathology, Northshore University HealthSystem, Evanston, IL 60201, USA
| | - Ramon Lorenzo-Redondo
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA; Center for Pathogen Genomics and Microbial Evolution, Northwestern University Havey Institute for Global Health, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Egon A Ozer
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA; Center for Pathogen Genomics and Microbial Evolution, Northwestern University Havey Institute for Global Health, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Judd F Hultquist
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA; Center for Pathogen Genomics and Microbial Evolution, Northwestern University Havey Institute for Global Health, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
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20
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Zammit I, Badia S, Mejías-Molina C, Rusiñol M, Bofill-Mas S, Borrego CM, Corominas L. Zooming in to the neighborhood level: A year-long wastewater-based epidemiology monitoring campaign for COVID-19 in small intraurban catchments. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 907:167811. [PMID: 37852481 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.167811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2023] [Revised: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023]
Abstract
In recent years, wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) has emerged as a valuable and cost-effective tool for monitoring the prevalence of COVID-19. Large-scale monitoring efforts have been implemented in numerous countries, primarily focusing on sampling at the entrance of wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) to cover a large population. However, sampling at a finer spatial scale, such as at the neighborhood level (NGBs), pose new challenges, including the absence of composite sampling infrastructure and increased uncertainty due to the dynamics of small catchments. This study aims to investigate the feasibility and accuracy of WBE when deployed at the neighborhood level (sampling in sewers) compared to the city level (sampling at the entrance of a WWTP). To achieve this, we deployed specific WBE sampling stations at the intraurban scale within three NGBs in Barcelona, Spain. The study period covers the 5th and the 6th waves of COVID-19 in Spain, spanning from March 2021 to March 2022, along with the WWTP downstream from the NGBs. The results showed a strong correlation between the dynamics of COVID-19 clinical cases and wastewater SARS-CoV-2 loads at both the NGB and city levels. Notably, during the 5th wave, which was dominated by the Delta SARS-CoV-2 variant, wastewater loads were higher than during the 6th wave (Omicron variant), despite a lower number of clinical cases recorded during the 5th wave. The correlations between wastewater loads and clinical cases at the NGB level were stronger than at the WWTP level. However, the early warning potential varied across neighborhoods and waves, with some cases showing a one-week early warning and others lacking any significant early warning signal. Interestingly, the prevalence of COVID-19 did not exhibit major differences among NGBs with different socioeconomic statuses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian Zammit
- Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA-CERCA), Emili Grahit 101, 17003 Girona, Spain; University of Girona, Plaça de Sant Domènec 3, 17004 Girona, Spain
| | - Sergi Badia
- Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA-CERCA), Emili Grahit 101, 17003 Girona, Spain; University of Girona, Plaça de Sant Domènec 3, 17004 Girona, Spain
| | - Cristina Mejías-Molina
- Laboratory of Viruses Contaminants of Water and Food, Genetics, Microbiology & Statistics Dept., Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain; The Water Research Institute (IdRA), Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Marta Rusiñol
- Laboratory of Viruses Contaminants of Water and Food, Genetics, Microbiology & Statistics Dept., Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain; The Water Research Institute (IdRA), Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Sílvia Bofill-Mas
- Laboratory of Viruses Contaminants of Water and Food, Genetics, Microbiology & Statistics Dept., Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain; The Water Research Institute (IdRA), Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Carles M Borrego
- Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA-CERCA), Emili Grahit 101, 17003 Girona, Spain; Group of Molecular Microbial Ecology, Institute of Aquatic Ecology, University of Girona, Girona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Lluís Corominas
- Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA-CERCA), Emili Grahit 101, 17003 Girona, Spain; University of Girona, Plaça de Sant Domènec 3, 17004 Girona, Spain.
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21
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Tamura D, Morisawa Y, Mato T, Nunomiya S, Yoshihiro M, Maehara Y, Ito S, Ochiai Y, Yamagishi H, Tajima T, Yamagata T, Osaka H. Temporal Trend of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron Variant and RSV in the Nasal Cavity and Accuracy of the Newly Developed Antigen-Detecting Rapid Diagnostic Test. Diagnostics (Basel) 2024; 14:119. [PMID: 38201428 PMCID: PMC10802845 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics14010119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2023] [Revised: 12/28/2023] [Accepted: 12/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
The aim of this work is to analyze the viral titers of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) at the anterior nasal site (ANS) and nasopharyngeal site (NS), evaluate their virological dynamics, and validate the usefulness of a newly developed two-antigen-detecting rapid antigen diagnostic test (Ag-RDT) that simultaneously detects SARS-CoV-2 and RSV using clinical specimens. This study included 195 asymptomatic to severely ill patients. Overall, 668 specimens were collected simultaneously from the ANS and NS. The cycle threshold (Ct) values calculated from real-time polymerase chain reaction were used to analyze temporal changes in viral load and evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of the Ag-RDT. The mean Ct values for SARS-CoV-2-positive, ANS, and NS specimens were 28.8, 28.9, and 28.7, respectively. The mean Ct values for RSV-positive, ANS, and NS specimens were 28.7, 28.8, and 28.6, respectively. SARS-CoV-2 and RSV showed the same trend in viral load, although the viral load of NS was higher than that of ANS. The sensitivity and specificity of the newly developed Ag-RDT were excellent in specimens collected up to 10 days after the onset of SARS-CoV-2 infection and up to 6 days after the onset of RSV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daisuke Tamura
- Department of Pediatrics, Jichi Medical University, 3311-1 Yakushiji, Shimotsuke 329-0498, Japan; (H.Y.)
| | - Yuji Morisawa
- Department of Infectious Disease, Jichi Medical University, 3311-1 Yakushiji, Shimotsuke 329-0498, Japan
| | - Takashi Mato
- Department of Emergency Center, Jichi Medical University, 3311-1 Yakushiji, Shimotsuke 329-0498, Japan
| | - Shin Nunomiya
- Department of Intensive Care Unit, Jichi Medical University, 3311-1 Yakushiji, Shimotsuke 329-0498, Japan
| | - Masaki Yoshihiro
- Research & Development Division, Sekisui Medical Co., Ltd., Chuo-ku, Tokyo 103-0027, Japan
| | - Yuta Maehara
- Research & Development Division, Sekisui Medical Co., Ltd., Chuo-ku, Tokyo 103-0027, Japan
| | - Shizuka Ito
- Research & Development Division, Sekisui Medical Co., Ltd., Chuo-ku, Tokyo 103-0027, Japan
| | - Yasushi Ochiai
- Research & Development Division, Sekisui Medical Co., Ltd., Chuo-ku, Tokyo 103-0027, Japan
| | - Hirokazu Yamagishi
- Department of Pediatrics, Jichi Medical University, 3311-1 Yakushiji, Shimotsuke 329-0498, Japan; (H.Y.)
| | - Toshihiro Tajima
- Department of Pediatrics, Jichi Medical University, 3311-1 Yakushiji, Shimotsuke 329-0498, Japan; (H.Y.)
| | - Takanori Yamagata
- Department of Pediatrics, Jichi Medical University, 3311-1 Yakushiji, Shimotsuke 329-0498, Japan; (H.Y.)
| | - Hitoshi Osaka
- Department of Pediatrics, Jichi Medical University, 3311-1 Yakushiji, Shimotsuke 329-0498, Japan; (H.Y.)
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22
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Essaidi-Laziosi M, Pérez-Rodríguez FJ, Alvarez C, Sattonnet-Roche P, Torriani G, Bekliz M, Adea K, Lenk M, Suliman T, Preiser W, Müller MA, Drosten C, Kaiser L, Eckerle I. Distinct phenotype of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA.1 in human primary cells but no increased host range in cell lines of putative mammalian reservoir species. Virus Res 2024; 339:199255. [PMID: 38389324 PMCID: PMC10652112 DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2023.199255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Revised: 10/03/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2024]
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2's genetic plasticity has led to several variants of concern (VOCs). Here we studied replicative capacity for seven SARS-CoV-2 isolates (B.1, Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta, Zeta, and Omicron BA.1) in primary reconstituted airway epithelia (HAE) and lung-derived cell lines. Furthermore, to investigate the host range of Delta and Omicron compared to ancestral SARS-CoV-2, we assessed replication in 17 cell lines from 11 non-primate mammalian species, including bats, rodents, insectivores and carnivores. Only Omicron's phenotype differed in vitro, with rapid but short replication and efficient production of infectious virus in nasal HAEs, in contrast to other VOCs, but not in lung cell lines. No increased infection efficiency for other species was observed, but Delta and Omicron infection efficiency was increased in A549 cells. Notably replication in A549 and Calu3 cells was lower than in nasal HAE. Our results suggest better adaptation of VOCs towards humans, without an extended host range, and may be relevant to the search for the putative intermediate host and reservoirs prior to the pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manel Essaidi-Laziosi
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland; Geneva Centre for Emerging Viral Diseases, University Hospitals Geneva, and University of Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Francisco J Pérez-Rodríguez
- Geneva Centre for Emerging Viral Diseases, University Hospitals Geneva, and University of Geneva, Switzerland; Division of Infectious Diseases, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Catia Alvarez
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland; Geneva Centre for Emerging Viral Diseases, University Hospitals Geneva, and University of Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Pascale Sattonnet-Roche
- Geneva Centre for Emerging Viral Diseases, University Hospitals Geneva, and University of Geneva, Switzerland; Division of Infectious Diseases, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Giulia Torriani
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Meriem Bekliz
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland; Geneva Centre for Emerging Viral Diseases, University Hospitals Geneva, and University of Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Kenneth Adea
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland; Geneva Centre for Emerging Viral Diseases, University Hospitals Geneva, and University of Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Matthias Lenk
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Tasnim Suliman
- Department of Medical Biosciences, University of the Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Wolfgang Preiser
- Division of Medical Virology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa; Division of Medical Virology, Tygerberg Hospital, National Health Laboratory Service, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Marcel A Müller
- Institute of Virology Charité, - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Christian Drosten
- Institute of Virology Charité, - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Laurent Kaiser
- Geneva Centre for Emerging Viral Diseases, University Hospitals Geneva, and University of Geneva, Switzerland; Laboratory of Virology, Division of Infectious Diseases and Division of Laboratory Medicine, University Hospitals of Geneva & Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, 1205 Geneva, Switzerland; Division of Infectious Diseases, Geneva University Hospitals, 1205 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Isabella Eckerle
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland; Geneva Centre for Emerging Viral Diseases, University Hospitals Geneva, and University of Geneva, Switzerland; Division of Infectious Diseases, Geneva University Hospitals, 1205 Geneva, Switzerland.
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23
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Ferranna M. Causes and costs of global COVID-19 vaccine inequity. Semin Immunopathol 2024; 45:469-480. [PMID: 37870569 PMCID: PMC11136847 DOI: 10.1007/s00281-023-00998-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023]
Abstract
Despite the rapid development of safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines and the widely recognized health and economic benefits of vaccination, there exist stark differences in vaccination rates across country income groups. While more than 70% of the population is fully vaccinated in high-income countries, vaccination rates in low-income countries are only around 30%. The paper reviews the factors behind global COVID-19 vaccine inequity and the health, social, and economic costs triggered by this inequity. The main contributors to vaccine inequity include vaccine nationalism, intellectual property rights, constraints in manufacturing capacity, poor resilience of healthcare systems, and vaccine hesitancy. Vaccine inequity has high costs, including preventable deaths and cases of illnesses in low-income countries, slow economic recovery, and large learning losses among children. Increasing vaccination rates in low-income countries is in the self-interest of higher-income countries as it may prevent the emergence of new variants and continuous disruptions to global supply chains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maddalena Ferranna
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Health Economics, Alfred E. Mann School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
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24
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Lunt R, Quinot C, Kirsebom F, Andrews N, Skarnes C, Letley L, Haskins D, Angel C, Firminger S, Ratcliffe K, Rajan S, Sherridan A, Ijaz S, Zambon M, Brown K, Ramsay M, Bernal JL. The impact of vaccination and SARS-CoV-2 variants on the virological response to SARS-CoV-2 infections during the Alpha, Delta, and Omicron waves in England. J Infect 2024; 88:21-29. [PMID: 37926118 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinf.2023.10.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Revised: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023]
Abstract
Vaccination status and the SARS-CoV-2 variant individuals are infected with are known to independently impact viral dynamics; however, little is known about the interaction of these two factors and how this impacts viral dynamics. Here we investigated how monovalent vaccination modified the time course and viral load of infections from different variants. Regression analyses were used to investigate the impact of vaccination on cycle threshold values and disease severity, and interval-censored survival analyses were used to investigate the impact of vaccination on duration of positivity. A range of covariates were adjusted for as potential confounders and investigated for their own effects in exploratory analyses. All analyses were done combining all variants and stratified by variant. For those infected with Alpha or Delta, vaccinated individuals were more likely to report mild disease than moderate/severe disease and had significantly shorter duration of positivity and lower viral loads compared to unvaccinated individuals. Vaccination had no impact on self-reported disease severity, viral load, or duration if positivity for those infected with Omicron. Overall, individuals who were immunosuppressed and clinically extremely vulnerable had longer duration of positivity and higher viral loads. This study adds to the evidence base on disease dynamics following COVID-19, demonstrating that vaccination mitigates severity of disease, the amount of detectable virus within infected individuals and reduces the time individuals are positive for. However, these effects have been significantly attenuated since the emergence of Omicron. Therefore, our findings strengthen the argument for using modified or multivalent vaccines that target emerging variants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Lunt
- UK Health Security Agency, London, United Kingdom.
| | | | | | - Nick Andrews
- UK Health Security Agency, London, United Kingdom; NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Vaccines and Immunisation, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Samreen Ijaz
- UK Health Security Agency, London, United Kingdom
| | - Maria Zambon
- UK Health Security Agency, London, United Kingdom; NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Respiratory Infections, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Kevin Brown
- UK Health Security Agency, London, United Kingdom
| | - Mary Ramsay
- UK Health Security Agency, London, United Kingdom; NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Vaccines and Immunisation, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jamie Lopez Bernal
- UK Health Security Agency, London, United Kingdom; NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Vaccines and Immunisation, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom; NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Respiratory Infections, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
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25
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Russell TW, Townsley H, Abbott S, Hellewell J, Carr EJ, Chapman LAC, Pung R, Quilty BJ, Hodgson D, Fowler AS, Adams L, Bailey C, Mears HV, Harvey R, Clayton B, O’Reilly N, Ngai Y, Nicod J, Gamblin S, Williams B, Gandhi S, Swanton C, Beale R, Bauer DLV, Wall EC, Kucharski AJ. Combined analyses of within-host SARS-CoV-2 viral kinetics and information on past exposures to the virus in a human cohort identifies intrinsic differences of Omicron and Delta variants. PLoS Biol 2024; 22:e3002463. [PMID: 38289907 PMCID: PMC10826969 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3002463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2024] Open
Abstract
The emergence of successive Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants of concern (VOCs) during 2020 to 2022, each exhibiting increased epidemic growth relative to earlier circulating variants, has created a need to understand the drivers of such growth. However, both pathogen biology and changing host characteristics-such as varying levels of immunity-can combine to influence replication and transmission of SARS-CoV-2 within and between hosts. Disentangling the role of variant and host in individual-level viral shedding of VOCs is essential to inform Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) planning and response and interpret past epidemic trends. Using data from a prospective observational cohort study of healthy adult volunteers undergoing weekly occupational health PCR screening, we developed a Bayesian hierarchical model to reconstruct individual-level viral kinetics and estimate how different factors shaped viral dynamics, measured by PCR cycle threshold (Ct) values over time. Jointly accounting for both interindividual variation in Ct values and complex host characteristics-such as vaccination status, exposure history, and age-we found that age and number of prior exposures had a strong influence on peak viral replication. Older individuals and those who had at least 5 prior antigen exposures to vaccination and/or infection typically had much lower levels of shedding. Moreover, we found evidence of a correlation between the speed of early shedding and duration of incubation period when comparing different VOCs and age groups. Our findings illustrate the value of linking information on participant characteristics, symptom profile and infecting variant with prospective PCR sampling, and the importance of accounting for increasingly complex population exposure landscapes when analysing the viral kinetics of VOCs. Trial Registration: The Legacy study is a prospective observational cohort study of healthy adult volunteers undergoing weekly occupational health PCR screening for SARS-CoV-2 at University College London Hospitals or at the Francis Crick Institute (NCT04750356) (22,23). The Legacy study was approved by London Camden and Kings Cross Health Research Authority Research and Ethics committee (IRAS number 286469). The Legacy study was approved by London Camden and Kings Cross Health Research Authority Research and Ethics committee (IRAS number 286469) and is sponsored by University College London Hospitals. Written consent was given by all participants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy W. Russell
- Centre for Mathematical Modelling of Infectious Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Hermaleigh Townsley
- The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
- National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) University College London Hospitals (UCLH) Biomedical Research Centre and NIHR UCLH Clinical Research Facility, London, United Kingdom
| | - Sam Abbott
- Centre for Mathematical Modelling of Infectious Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Joel Hellewell
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory-European Bioinformatics Institute, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Edward J. Carr
- The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
- University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Lloyd A. C. Chapman
- Centre for Mathematical Modelling of Infectious Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- Lancaster University, Bailrigg, Lancaster, United Kingdom
| | - Rachael Pung
- Centre for Mathematical Modelling of Infectious Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Billy J. Quilty
- Centre for Mathematical Modelling of Infectious Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - David Hodgson
- Centre for Mathematical Modelling of Infectious Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Lorin Adams
- The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | - Chris Bailey
- The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
- University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Ruth Harvey
- The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | | | | | - Yenting Ngai
- The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
- University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jerome Nicod
- The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Bryan Williams
- National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) University College London Hospitals (UCLH) Biomedical Research Centre and NIHR UCLH Clinical Research Facility, London, United Kingdom
- University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Sonia Gandhi
- The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
- University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Charles Swanton
- The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
- University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Rupert Beale
- The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
- University College London, London, United Kingdom
- Genotype-to-Phenotype UK National Virology Consortium (G2P-UK), London, United Kingdom
| | - David L. V. Bauer
- The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
- Genotype-to-Phenotype UK National Virology Consortium (G2P-UK), London, United Kingdom
| | - Emma C. Wall
- The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
- National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) University College London Hospitals (UCLH) Biomedical Research Centre and NIHR UCLH Clinical Research Facility, London, United Kingdom
- University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Adam J. Kucharski
- Centre for Mathematical Modelling of Infectious Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
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26
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Hijano DR, Ferrolino JA, Gu Z, Brazelton JN, Zhu H, Suganda S, Glasgow HL, Dallas RH, Allison KJ, Maron G, Darji H, Tang L, Fabrizio TP, Webby RJ, Hayden RT. Digital PCR to Measure SARS-CoV-2 RNA, Variants, and Outcomes in Youth. J Pediatric Infect Dis Soc 2023; 12:618-626. [PMID: 37956414 PMCID: PMC10725239 DOI: 10.1093/jpids/piad101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The role of SARS-CoV-2 viral load in predicting contagiousness, disease severity, transmissibility, and clinical decision-making continues to be an area of great interest. However, most studies have been in adults and have evaluated SARS-CoV-2 loads using cycle thresholds (Ct) values, which are not standardized preventing consistent interpretation critical to understanding clinical impact and utility. Here, a quantitative SARS-CoV-2 reverse-transcription digital PCR (RT-dPCR) assay normalized to WHO International Units was applied to children at risk of severe disease diagnosed with COVID-19 at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital between March 28, 2020, and January 31, 2022. METHODS Demographic and clinical information from children, adolescents, and young adults treated at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital were abstracted from medical records. Respiratory samples underwent SARS-CoV-2 RNA quantitation by RT-dPCR targeting N1 and N2 genes, with sequencing to determine the genetic lineage of infecting virus. RESULTS Four hundred and sixty-two patients aged 0-24 years (median 11 years old) were included during the study period. Most patients were infected by the omicron variant (43.72%), followed by ancestral strain (22.29%), delta (13.20%), and alpha (2.16%). Viral load at presentation ranged from 2.49 to 9.14 log10 IU/mL, and higher viral RNA loads were associated with symptoms (OR 1.32; CI 95% 1.16-1.49) and respiratory disease (OR 1.23; CI 95% 1.07-1.41). Viral load did not differ by SARS-CoV-2 variant, vaccination status, age, or baseline diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS SARS-CoV-2 RNA loads predict the presence of symptomatic and respiratory diseases. The use of standardized, quantitative methods is feasible, allows for replication, and comparisons across institutions, and has the potential to facilitate consensus quantitative thresholds for risk stratification and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diego R Hijano
- Departments of Infectious Diseases, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Jose A Ferrolino
- Departments of Infectious Diseases, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Zhengming Gu
- Department of Pathology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Jessica N Brazelton
- Department of Pathology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Haiqing Zhu
- Department of Pathology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Sri Suganda
- Department of Pathology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Heather L Glasgow
- Department of Pathology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Ronald H Dallas
- Departments of Infectious Diseases, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Kim J Allison
- Departments of Infectious Diseases, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Gabriela Maron
- Departments of Infectious Diseases, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Himani Darji
- Department of Biostatistics, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Li Tang
- Department of Biostatistics, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Thomas P Fabrizio
- Departments of Infectious Diseases, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Richard J Webby
- Departments of Infectious Diseases, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Randall T Hayden
- Department of Pathology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
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27
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Park HS, Yin A, Barranta C, Lee JS, Caputo CA, Sachithanandham J, Li M, Yoon S, Sitaras I, Jedlicka A, Eby Y, Ram M, Fernandez RE, Baker OR, Shenoy AG, Mosnaim GS, Fukuta Y, Patel B, Heath SL, Levine AC, Meisenberg BR, Spivak ES, Anjan S, Huaman MA, Blair JE, Currier JS, Paxton JH, Gerber JM, Petrini JR, Broderick PB, Rausch W, Cordisco ME, Hammel J, Greenblatt B, Cluzet VC, Cruser D, Oei K, Abinante M, Hammitt LL, Sutcliffe CG, Forthal DN, Zand MS, Cachay ER, Raval JS, Kassaye SG, Marshall CE, Yarava A, Lane K, McBee NA, Gawad AL, Karlen N, Singh A, Ford DE, Jabs DA, Appel LJ, Shade DM, Lau B, Ehrhardt S, Baksh SN, Shapiro JR, Ou J, Na YB, Knoll MD, Ornelas-Gatdula E, Arroyo-Curras N, Gniadek TJ, Caturegli P, Wu J, Ndahiro N, Betenbaugh MJ, Ziman A, Hanley DF, Casadevall A, Shoham S, Bloch EM, Gebo KA, Tobian AAR, Laeyendecker O, Pekosz A, Klein SL, Sullivan DJ. Outpatient COVID-19 convalescent plasma recipient antibody thresholds correlated to reduced hospitalizations within a randomized trial. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2023:2023.04.13.23288353. [PMID: 37131659 PMCID: PMC10153328 DOI: 10.1101/2023.04.13.23288353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 convalescent plasma (CCP) viral specific antibody levels that translate into recipient post-transfusion antibody levels sufficient to prevent disease progression is not defined. METHODS This secondary analysis correlated donor and recipient antibody levels to hospitalization risk among unvaccinated, seronegative CCP recipients within the outpatient, double blind, randomized clinical trial that compared CCP to control plasma. The majority of COVID-19 CCP arm hospitalizations (15/17, 88%) occurred in this unvaccinated, seronegative subgroup. A functional cutoff to delineate recipient high versus low post-transfusion antibody levels was established by two methods: 1) analyzing virus neutralization-equivalent anti-S-RBD IgG responses in donors or 2) receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. RESULTS SARS-CoV-2 anti-S-RBD IgG antibody was diluted by a factor of 21.3 into post-transfusion seronegative recipients from matched donor units. Viral specific antibody delivered approximated 1.2 mg. The high antibody recipients transfused early (symptom onset within 5 days) had no hospitalizations. A CCP recipient analysis for antibody thresholds correlated to reduced hospitalizations found a significant association with Fisher's exact test between early and high antibodies versus all other CCP recipients (or control plasma) with antibody cutoffs established by both methods-donor virus neutralization-based cutoff: (0/85; 0% versus 15/276; 5.6%) p=0.03 or ROC based cutoff: (0/94; 0% versus 15/267; 5.4%) p=0.01. CONCLUSION In unvaccinated, seronegative CCP recipients, early transfusion of plasma units corresponding to the upper 30% of all study donors reduced outpatient hospitalizations. These high antibody level plasma units, given early, should be reserved for therapeutic use.Trial registration: NCT04373460. FUNDING Defense Health Agency and others.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han-Sol Park
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology; Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Anna Yin
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology; Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Caelan Barranta
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology; Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - John S Lee
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology; Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Christopher A Caputo
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology; Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Jaiprasath Sachithanandham
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology; Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Maggie Li
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology; Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Steve Yoon
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology; Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Ioannis Sitaras
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology; Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Anne Jedlicka
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology; Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Yolanda Eby
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Malathi Ram
- Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Reinaldo E Fernandez
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Owen R Baker
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Aarthi G Shenoy
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, MedStar Washington Hospital Center, Washington DC, USA
| | - Giselle S Mosnaim
- Division of Allergy and Immunology, Department of Medicine, NorthShore University Health System, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Yuriko Fukuta
- Department of Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Bela Patel
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Sonya L Heath
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Adam C Levine
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Rhode Island Hospital, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | | | - Emily S Spivak
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Shweta Anjan
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Moises A Huaman
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Janis E Blair
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Mayo Clinic Hospital, Phoenix, AZ, USA
| | - Judith S Currier
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - James H Paxton
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Jonathan M Gerber
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Jean Hammel
- Nuvance Health Norwalk Hospital, Norwalk, CT, USA
| | | | - Valerie C Cluzet
- Nuvance Health Vassar Brothers Medical Center, Poughkeepsie, NY, USA
| | - Daniel Cruser
- Nuvance Health Vassar Brothers Medical Center, Poughkeepsie, NY, USA
| | | | | | - Laura L Hammitt
- Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Catherine G Sutcliffe
- Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Donald N Forthal
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Martin S Zand
- Department of Medicine, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Edward R Cachay
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Jay S Raval
- Department of Pathology, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - Seble G Kassaye
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Georgetown University Medical Center Washington DC, USA
| | - Christi E Marshall
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Anusha Yarava
- Department of Neurology, Brain Injury Outcomes, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Karen Lane
- Department of Neurology, Brain Injury Outcomes, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Nichol A McBee
- Department of Neurology, Brain Injury Outcomes, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Amy L Gawad
- Department of Neurology, Brain Injury Outcomes, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Nicky Karlen
- Department of Neurology, Brain Injury Outcomes, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Atika Singh
- Department of Neurology, Brain Injury Outcomes, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Daniel E Ford
- Institute for Clinical and Translational Research Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Douglas A Jabs
- Department of Ophthalmology Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Lawrence J Appel
- Welch Center for Prevention, Epidemiology and Clinical Research, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - David M Shade
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Bryan Lau
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Stephan Ehrhardt
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Sheriza N Baksh
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Janna R Shapiro
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology; Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Jiangda Ou
- Department of Neurology, Brain Injury Outcomes, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Yu Bin Na
- Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Maria D Knoll
- Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Elysse Ornelas-Gatdula
- Chemistry-Biology Interface Program, Zanvyl Krieger School of Arts & Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore MD, USA
| | - Netzahualcoyotl Arroyo-Curras
- Chemistry-Biology Interface Program, Zanvyl Krieger School of Arts & Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore MD, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Thomas J Gniadek
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Northshore University Health System, Evanston, IL
| | - Patrizio Caturegli
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Jinke Wu
- Advanced Mammalian Biomanufacturing Innovation Center, Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Nelson Ndahiro
- Advanced Mammalian Biomanufacturing Innovation Center, Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Michael J Betenbaugh
- Advanced Mammalian Biomanufacturing Innovation Center, Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Alyssa Ziman
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Wing-Kwai and Alice Lee-Tsing Chung Transfusion Service, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Daniel F Hanley
- Department of Neurology, Brain Injury Outcomes, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Arturo Casadevall
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology; Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Shmuel Shoham
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Evan M Bloch
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Kelly A Gebo
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Aaron A R Tobian
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Oliver Laeyendecker
- Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Andrew Pekosz
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology; Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Sabra L Klein
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology; Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - David J Sullivan
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology; Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
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Inaba M, Miyake Y, Yasuda K. Secondary household transmission of SARS-CoV-2: a case-control study on factors associated with reduced transmission risk. Int J Infect Dis 2023; 137:4-8. [PMID: 37788740 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2023.09.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2023] [Revised: 09/24/2023] [Accepted: 09/24/2023] [Indexed: 10/05/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This study aimed to identify factors deterring secondary household transmission of SARS-CoV-2 from SARS-CoV-2-positive cohabitants. METHODS A case-control study was conducted with 272 healthcare workers in close contact with SARS-CoV-2-positive cohabitants. Logistic regression modeling was employed to determine the factors independently associated with secondary household transmission. RESULTS A SARS-CoV-2 infection within the past 6 months was the most protective factor against secondary household transmission (adjusted odds ratio = 0.07, 95% CI: 0.01-0.61, P <0.05). Home isolation and older age of primary index case (7-12, ≥18 years) were also associated with a reduced risk. Both monovalent and bivalent messenger ribonucleic acid booster vaccinations exhibited potential protective tendencies but were not statistically significant. Additionally, bivalent vaccines did not demonstrate a clear advantage over monovalent vaccines. CONCLUSION A recent history of SARS-CoV-2 infection, home isolation of positive cohabitants, and older age of primary index cases were positively associated with a reduced risk of secondary household transmission. Regarding booster vaccinations, data from a single center with a limited sample size may not capture all statistically significant differences, necessitating broader studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masato Inaba
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Central Japan International Medical Center, Mino-Kamo, Gifu, Japan.
| | - Yukiko Miyake
- Division of Infection Control and Prevention, Central Japan International Medical Center, Mino-Kamo, Gifu, Japan
| | - Kazutaka Yasuda
- Department of Hospital Pharmacy, Central Japan International Medical Center, Mino-Kamo, Gifu, Japan
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Tran KA, Divangahi M. The gift of preexisting immunity for developing an alternative vaccine strategy. J Clin Invest 2023; 133:e174952. [PMID: 38038132 PMCID: PMC10688974 DOI: 10.1172/jci174952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite the worldwide application of vaccination and other antiviral interventions, pulmonary viral infections remain a persistent threat to human health. The 1918 influenza pandemic killed more than 40 million people in just one year, and the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has killed more than 6.9 million people since 2019. While the current approved COVID-19 vaccines are administered parenterally and induce systemic immunity, they only prevent the progression to severe disease. Thus, other vaccine platforms are still needed for completely preventing the disease and subsequent transmission. In this issue of the JCI, Kawai et al. present an adjuvant-free subunit (RBD-HA) fusion vaccine, which produces robust IgG and IgA antibody responses against SARS-CoV-2, enriched within the nasal cavity, by using the host's preexisting immunity to influenza infection. This preclinical study has tremendous implications for future mucosal vaccine design and provides a roadmap for generating a safer and effective intranasal vaccine against pulmonary infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kim A. Tran
- Meakins-Christie Laboratories, Department of Medicine, Department of Pathology, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- McGill International TB Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Maziar Divangahi
- Meakins-Christie Laboratories, Department of Medicine, Department of Pathology, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- McGill International TB Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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Puhach O, Bellon M, Adea K, Bekliz M, Hosszu-Fellous K, Sattonnet P, Hulo N, Kaiser L, Eckerle I, Meyer B. SARS-CoV-2 convalescence and hybrid immunity elicits mucosal immune responses. EBioMedicine 2023; 98:104893. [PMID: 38035462 PMCID: PMC10755109 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2023.104893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2023] [Revised: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mucosal antibodies play a key role in the protection against SARS-CoV-2 infection in the upper respiratory tract, and potentially in limiting virus replication and therefore onward transmission. While systemic immunity to SARS-CoV-2 is well understood, we have a limited understanding about the antibodies present on the nasal mucosal surfaces. METHODS In this study, we evaluated SARS-CoV-2 mucosal antibodies following previous infection, vaccination, or a combination of both. Paired nasal fluid and serum samples were collected from 143 individuals, which include convalescent, vaccinated, or breakthrough infections. FINDINGS We detected a high correlation between IgG responses in serum and nasal fluids, which were higher in both compartments in vaccinated compared to convalescent participants. Contrary, nasal and systemic SARS-CoV-2 IgA responses were weakly correlated, indicating a compartmentalization between the local and systemic IgA responses. SARS-CoV-2 secretory component IgA (s-IgA) antibodies, present exclusively on mucosal surfaces, were detected in the nasal fluid only in a minority of vaccinated subjects and were significantly higher in previously infected individuals. Depletion of IgA antibodies in nasal fluids resulted in a tremendous reduction of neutralization activity against SARS-CoV-2, indicating that IgA is the crucial contributor to neutralization in the nasal mucosa. Neutralization against SARS-CoV-2 was higher in the mucosa of subjects with previous SARS-CoV-2 infections compared to vaccinated participants. INTERPRETATION In summary, we demonstrate that currently available vaccines elicit strong systemic antibody responses, but SARS-CoV-2 infection generates higher titers of binding and neutralizing mucosal antibodies. Our results support the importance to develop SARS-CoV-2 vaccines that elicit mucosal antibodies. FUNDING The work was funded by the COVID-19 National Research Program 78 (grant number 198412) of the Swiss National Science Foundation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olha Puhach
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Mathilde Bellon
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Kenneth Adea
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Meriem Bekliz
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Krisztina Hosszu-Fellous
- Geneva Centre for Emerging Viral Diseases, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland; Division of Infectious Diseases, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Pascale Sattonnet
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Nicolas Hulo
- Service for Biomathematical and Biostatistical Analyses, Institute of Genetics and Genomics, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Laurent Kaiser
- Geneva Centre for Emerging Viral Diseases, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland; Division of Infectious Diseases, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Isabella Eckerle
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland; Geneva Centre for Emerging Viral Diseases, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Benjamin Meyer
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Centre of Vaccinology, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.
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31
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Chen C, Wang X, Zhang Z. Humoral and cellular immunity against diverse SARS-CoV-2 variants. J Genet Genomics 2023; 50:934-947. [PMID: 37865193 DOI: 10.1016/j.jgg.2023.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2023] [Revised: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 10/23/2023]
Abstract
Since the outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in late 2019, the virus has rapidly spread worldwide. This has led to an unprecedented global pandemic, marked by millions of COVID-19 cases and a significant number of fatalities. Over a relatively short period, several different vaccine platforms are developed and deployed for use globally to curb the pandemic. However, the genome of SARS-CoV-2 continuously undergoes mutation and/or recombination, resulting in the emergence of several variants of concern (VOC). These VOCs can elevate viral transmission and evade the neutralizing antibodies induced by vaccines, leading to reinfections. Understanding the impact of the SARS-CoV-2 genomic mutation on viral pathogenesis and immune escape is crucial for assessing the threat of new variants to public health. This review focuses on the emergence and pathogenesis of VOC, with particular emphasis on their evasion of neutralizing antibodies. Furthermore, the memory B cell, CD4+, and CD8+ T cell memory induced by different COVID-19 vaccines or infections are discussed, along with how these cells recognize VOC. This review summarizes the current knowledge on adaptive immunology regarding SARS-CoV-2 infection and vaccines. Such knowledge may also be applied to vaccine design for other pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Changxu Chen
- Center for Infectious Disease Research, School of Life Science, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310001, China
| | - Xin Wang
- Center for Infectious Disease Research, School of Life Science, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310001, China
| | - Zeli Zhang
- Center for Infectious Disease Research, School of Life Science, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310001, China.
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Sunagawa J, Park H, Kim KS, Komorizono R, Choi S, Ramirez Torres L, Woo J, Jeong YD, Hart WS, Thompson RN, Aihara K, Iwami S, Yamaguchi R. Isolation may select for earlier and higher peak viral load but shorter duration in SARS-CoV-2 evolution. Nat Commun 2023; 14:7395. [PMID: 37989736 PMCID: PMC10663562 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-43043-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/23/2023] Open
Abstract
During the COVID-19 pandemic, human behavior change as a result of nonpharmaceutical interventions such as isolation may have induced directional selection for viral evolution. By combining previously published empirical clinical data analysis and multi-level mathematical modeling, we find that the SARS-CoV-2 variants selected for as the virus evolved from the pre-Alpha to the Delta variant had earlier and higher peak in viral load dynamics but a shorter duration of infection. Selection for increased transmissibility shapes the viral load dynamics, and the isolation measure is likely to be a driver of these evolutionary transitions. In addition, we show that a decreased incubation period and an increased proportion of asymptomatic infection are also positively selected for as SARS-CoV-2 mutated to adapt to human behavior (i.e., Omicron variants). The quantitative information and predictions we present here can guide future responses in the potential arms race between pandemic interventions and viral evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junya Sunagawa
- Department of Advanced Transdisciplinary Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Hyeongki Park
- interdisciplinary Biology Laboratory (iBLab), Division of Natural Science, Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Kwang Su Kim
- interdisciplinary Biology Laboratory (iBLab), Division of Natural Science, Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
- Department of Scientific Computing, Pukyong National University, Busan, South Korea
- Department of Mathematics, Pusan National University, Busan, South Korea
| | - Ryo Komorizono
- Laboratory of RNA Viruses, Department of Virus Research, Institute for Life and Medical Sciences (LiMe), Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Sooyoun Choi
- interdisciplinary Biology Laboratory (iBLab), Division of Natural Science, Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
- Department of Mathematics, Pusan National University, Busan, South Korea
| | - Lucia Ramirez Torres
- interdisciplinary Biology Laboratory (iBLab), Division of Natural Science, Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Joohyeon Woo
- interdisciplinary Biology Laboratory (iBLab), Division of Natural Science, Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Yong Dam Jeong
- interdisciplinary Biology Laboratory (iBLab), Division of Natural Science, Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
- Department of Mathematics, Pusan National University, Busan, South Korea
| | - William S Hart
- Mathematical Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Robin N Thompson
- Mathematical Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Mathematics Institute, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
- Zeeman Institute for Systems Biology and Infectious Disease Epidemiology Research, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
| | - Kazuyuki Aihara
- International Research Center for Neurointelligence, The University of Tokyo Institutes for Advanced Study, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shingo Iwami
- interdisciplinary Biology Laboratory (iBLab), Division of Natural Science, Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan.
- Institute of Mathematics for Industry, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan.
- Institute for the Advanced Study of Human Biology (ASHBi), Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.
- Interdisciplinary Theoretical and Mathematical Sciences Program (iTHEMS), RIKEN, Saitama, Japan.
- NEXT-Ganken Program, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research (JFCR), Tokyo, Japan.
- Science Groove Inc, Fukuoka, Japan.
| | - Ryo Yamaguchi
- Department of Advanced Transdisciplinary Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan.
- Department of Zoology & Biodiversity Research Centre, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
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de Souza AS, Amorim VMDF, de Souza RF, Guzzo CR. Molecular dynamics simulations of the spike trimeric ectodomain of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant: structural relationships with infectivity, evasion to immune system and transmissibility. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2023; 41:9326-9343. [PMID: 36345794 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2022.2142296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Omicron is currently the most prevalent SARS-CoV-2 variant worldwide. Herein, we calculated molecular dynamics simulations of the trimeric spikeWT and SpikeBA.1 for 300 ns. Our results show that SpikeBA.1 has more conformational flexibility than SpikeWT. Our principal component analysis (PCA) allowed us to observe a broader spectrum of different conformations for SpikeBA.1, mainly at N-terminal domain (NTD) and receptor-binding domain (RBD). Such increased flexibility could contribute to decreased neutralizing antibody recognition of this variant. Our molecular dynamics data show that the RBDBA.1 easily visits an up-conformational state and the prevalent D614G mutation is pivotal to explain molecular dynamics results for this variant because to lost hydrogen bonding interactions between the residue pairs K854SC/D614SC, Y837MC/D614MC, K835SC/D614SC, T859SC/D614SC. In addition, SpikeBA.1 residues near the furin cleavage site are more flexible than in SpikeWT, probably due to P681H and D614G substitutions. Finally, dynamical cross-correlation matrix (DCCM) analysis reveals that D614G and P681H may allosterically affect the cleavage site S1/S2. Conversely, S2' site may be influenced by residues located between NTD and RBD of a neighboring protomer of the SpikeWT. Such communication may be lost in SpikeBA.1, explaining the changes of the cell tropism in the viral infection. In addition, the movements of the NTDWT and NTDBA.1 may modulate the RBD conformation through allosteric effects. Taken together, our results explain how the structural aspects may explain the observed gains in infectivity, immune system evasion and transmissibility of the Omicron variant.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anacleto Silva de Souza
- Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Robson Francisco de Souza
- Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Cristiane Rodrigues Guzzo
- Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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Khemiri H, Gdoura M, Ben Halima S, Krichen H, Cammà C, Lorusso A, Ancora M, Di Pasquale A, Cherni A, Touzi H, Sadraoui A, Meddeb Z, Hogga N, Ammi R, Triki H, Haddad-Boubaker S. SARS-CoV-2 excretion kinetics in nasopharyngeal and stool samples from the pediatric population. Front Med (Lausanne) 2023; 10:1226207. [PMID: 38020093 PMCID: PMC10643538 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2023.1226207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is responsible for serious respiratory infections in humans. Even in the absence of respiratory symptoms, gastrointestinal (GI) signs were commonly reported in adults and children. Thus, oral-fecal transmission was suspected as a possible route of infection. The objective of this study was to describe RNA shedding in nasopharyngeal and stool samples obtained from asymptomatic and symptomatic children and to investigate virus viability. Methods This study included 179 stool and 191 nasopharyngeal samples obtained from 71 children, which included symptomatic (n = 64) and asymptomatic (n = 7) ones. They were collected every 7 days from the onset of the infection until negativation. Viral RNA was detected by real-time RT-PCR, targeting the N and ORF1 genes. Whole-genome sequencing was performed for positive cases. Viral isolation was assessed on Vero cells, followed by molecular detection confirmation. Results All cases included in this study (n = 71) were positive in their nasopharyngeal samples. SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected in 36 stool samples obtained from 15 out of 71 (21.1%) children; 13 were symptomatic and two were asymptomatic. Excretion periods varied from 7 to 21 days and 7 to 14 days in nasopharyngeal and fecal samples, respectively. Four variants were detected: Alpha (n = 3), B.1.160 (n = 3), Delta (n = 7), and Omicron (n = 1). Inoculation of stool samples on cell culture showed no specific cytopathic effect. All cell culture supernatants were negative for RT-qPCR. Conclusion Our study demonstrated nasopharyngeal and fecal shedding of SARS-CoV-2 RNA by children up to 21 and 14 days, respectively. Fecal shedding was recorded in symptomatic and asymptomatic children. Nevertheless, SARS-CoV-2 was not isolated from positive stool samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haifa Khemiri
- Laboratory of Clinical Virology, WHO Regional Reference Laboratory for Poliomyelitis and Measles for the EMR, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
- LR 20 IPT 02 Laboratory of Virus, Host and Vectors, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Mariem Gdoura
- Laboratory of Clinical Virology, WHO Regional Reference Laboratory for Poliomyelitis and Measles for the EMR, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
- LR 20 IPT 02 Laboratory of Virus, Host and Vectors, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Samar Ben Halima
- Laboratory of Clinical Virology, WHO Regional Reference Laboratory for Poliomyelitis and Measles for the EMR, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
- LR 20 IPT 02 Laboratory of Virus, Host and Vectors, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Henda Krichen
- Laboratory of Clinical Virology, WHO Regional Reference Laboratory for Poliomyelitis and Measles for the EMR, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
- LR 20 IPT 02 Laboratory of Virus, Host and Vectors, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Cesare Cammà
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e del Molise, Teramo, Italy
| | - Alessio Lorusso
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e del Molise, Teramo, Italy
| | - Massimo Ancora
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e del Molise, Teramo, Italy
| | - Adriano Di Pasquale
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e del Molise, Teramo, Italy
| | - Asma Cherni
- Laboratory of Clinical Virology, WHO Regional Reference Laboratory for Poliomyelitis and Measles for the EMR, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
- LR 20 IPT 02 Laboratory of Virus, Host and Vectors, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Henda Touzi
- Laboratory of Clinical Virology, WHO Regional Reference Laboratory for Poliomyelitis and Measles for the EMR, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
- LR 20 IPT 02 Laboratory of Virus, Host and Vectors, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Amel Sadraoui
- Laboratory of Clinical Virology, WHO Regional Reference Laboratory for Poliomyelitis and Measles for the EMR, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
- LR 20 IPT 02 Laboratory of Virus, Host and Vectors, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Zina Meddeb
- Laboratory of Clinical Virology, WHO Regional Reference Laboratory for Poliomyelitis and Measles for the EMR, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
- LR 20 IPT 02 Laboratory of Virus, Host and Vectors, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Nahed Hogga
- Laboratory of Clinical Virology, WHO Regional Reference Laboratory for Poliomyelitis and Measles for the EMR, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
- LR 20 IPT 02 Laboratory of Virus, Host and Vectors, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Radhia Ammi
- Service of External Consultants, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Henda Triki
- Laboratory of Clinical Virology, WHO Regional Reference Laboratory for Poliomyelitis and Measles for the EMR, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
- LR 20 IPT 02 Laboratory of Virus, Host and Vectors, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Sondes Haddad-Boubaker
- Laboratory of Clinical Virology, WHO Regional Reference Laboratory for Poliomyelitis and Measles for the EMR, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
- LR 20 IPT 02 Laboratory of Virus, Host and Vectors, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
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Stüdle C, Nishihara H, Wischnewski S, Kulsvehagen L, Perriot S, Ishikawa H, Schroten H, Frank S, Deigendesch N, Du Pasquier R, Schirmer L, Pröbstel AK, Engelhardt B. SARS-CoV-2 infects epithelial cells of the blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier rather than endothelial cells or pericytes of the blood-brain barrier. Fluids Barriers CNS 2023; 20:76. [PMID: 37875964 PMCID: PMC10598911 DOI: 10.1186/s12987-023-00479-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 10/26/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND As a consequence of SARS-CoV-2 infection various neurocognitive and neuropsychiatric symptoms can appear, which may persist for several months post infection. However, cell type-specific routes of brain infection and underlying mechanisms resulting in neuroglial dysfunction are not well understood. METHODS Here, we investigated the susceptibility of cells constituting the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and the blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier (BCSFB) of the choroid plexus (ChP) to SARS-CoV-2 infection using human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived cellular models and a ChP papilloma-derived epithelial cell line as well as ChP tissue from COVID-19 patients, respectively. RESULTS We noted a differential infectibility of hiPSC-derived brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMECs) depending on the differentiation method. Extended endothelial culture method (EECM)-BMECs characterized by a complete set of endothelial markers, good barrier properties and a mature immune phenotype were refractory to SARS-CoV-2 infection and did not exhibit an activated phenotype after prolonged SARS-CoV-2 inoculation. In contrast, defined medium method (DMM)-BMECs, characterized by a mixed endothelial and epithelial phenotype and excellent barrier properties were productively infected by SARS-CoV-2 in an ACE2-dependent manner. hiPSC-derived brain pericyte-like cells (BPLCs) lacking ACE2 expression were not susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Furthermore, the human choroid plexus papilloma-derived epithelial cell line HIBCPP, modeling the BCSFB was productively infected by SARS-CoV-2 preferentially from the basolateral side, facing the blood compartment. Assessment of ChP tissue from COVID-19 patients by RNA in situ hybridization revealed SARS-CoV-2 transcripts in ChP epithelial and ChP stromal cells. CONCLUSIONS Our study shows that the BCSFB of the ChP rather than the BBB is susceptible to direct SARS-CoV-2 infection. Thus, neuropsychiatric symptoms because of COVID-19 may rather be associated with dysfunction of the BCSFB than the BBB. Future studies should consider a role of the ChP in underlying neuropsychiatric symptoms following SARS-CoV-2 infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Stüdle
- Theodor Kocher Institute, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
| | - Hideaki Nishihara
- Theodor Kocher Institute, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Department of Neurotherapeutics, Yamaguchi University, Yamaguchi, Japan
| | - Sven Wischnewski
- Department of Neurology, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Laila Kulsvehagen
- Departments of Neurology, Biomedicine and Clinical Research, Research Center for Clinical Neuroimmunology and Neuroscience Basel (RC2NB), University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Sylvain Perriot
- Laboratory of Neuroimmunology, Neuroscience Research Centre, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV) and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Hiroshi Ishikawa
- Laboratory of Clinical Regenerative Medicine, Department of Neurosurgery, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, 305-8575, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Horst Schroten
- Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Stephan Frank
- Pathology, Institute of Medical Genetics and Pathology, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Nikolaus Deigendesch
- Pathology, Institute of Medical Genetics and Pathology, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Renaud Du Pasquier
- Laboratory of Neuroimmunology, Neuroscience Research Centre, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV) and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Service of Neurology, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV), University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Lucas Schirmer
- Department of Neurology, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
- Center for Translational Neuroscience and Institute for Innate Immunoscience, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
- Interdisciplinary Center for Neurosciences, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Anne-Katrin Pröbstel
- Departments of Neurology, Biomedicine and Clinical Research, Research Center for Clinical Neuroimmunology and Neuroscience Basel (RC2NB), University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
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Peterson KL, Snyder JP, Despres HW, Schmidt MM, Eckstrom KM, Unger AL, Carmolli MP, Sevigny JL, Shirley DJ, Dragon JA, Thomas WK, Bruce EA, Crothers JW. Determining the impact of vaccination on SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR cycle threshold values and infectious viral titres. Access Microbiol 2023; 5:000597.v3. [PMID: 37970082 PMCID: PMC10634488 DOI: 10.1099/acmi.0.000597.v3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Background As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, efforts to better understand severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) viral shedding and transmission in both unvaccinated and vaccinated populations remain critical to informing public health policies and vaccine development. The utility of using real time RT-PCR cycle threshold values (CT values) as a proxy for infectious viral litres from individuals infected with SARS-CoV-2 is yet to be fully understood. This retrospective observational cohort study compares quantitative infectious viral litres derived from a focus-forming viral titre assay with SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR CT values in both unvaccinated and vaccinated individuals infected with the Delta strain. Methods Nasopharyngeal swabs positive for SARS-CoV-2 by RT-PCR with a CT value <27 collected from 26 June to 17 October 2021 at the University of Vermont Medical Center Clinical Laboratory for which vaccination records were available were included. Partially vaccinated and individuals <18 years of age were excluded. Infectious viral litres were determined using a micro-focus forming assay under BSL-3 containment. Results In total, 119 specimens from 22 unvaccinated and 97 vaccinated individuals met all inclusion criteria and had sufficient residual volume to undergo viral titring. A negative correlation between RT-PCR CT values and viral litres was observed in both unvaccinated and vaccinated groups. No difference in mean CT value or viral titre was detected between vaccinated and unvaccinated groups. Viral litres did not change as a function of time since vaccination. Conclusions Our results add to the growing body of knowledge regarding the correlation of SARS-CoV-2 RNA levels and levels of infectious virus. At similar CT values, vaccination does not appear to impact an individual's potential infectivity when infected with the Delta variant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine L. Peterson
- Department of Medicine, University of Vermont Medical Center, Burlington, VT, 05405, USA
| | - Julia P. Snyder
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Robert Larner, M.D. College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, 05405, USA
| | - Hannah W. Despres
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Robert Larner, M.D. College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, 05405, USA
| | - Madaline M. Schmidt
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Robert Larner, M.D. College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, 05405, USA
| | - Korin M. Eckstrom
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Robert Larner, M.D. College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, 05405, USA
| | - Allison L. Unger
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Robert Larner, M.D. College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, 05405, USA
| | - Marya P. Carmolli
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Robert Larner, M.D. College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, 05405, USA
| | - Joseph L. Sevigny
- Hubbard Center for Genome Studies, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH, 03824, USA
| | - David J. Shirley
- Faraday, Inc. Data Science Department, Burlington, VT, 05405, USA
| | - Julie A. Dragon
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Robert Larner, M.D. College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, 05405, USA
| | - W. Kelley Thomas
- Hubbard Center for Genome Studies, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH, 03824, USA
| | - Emily A. Bruce
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Robert Larner, M.D. College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, 05405, USA
| | - Jessica W. Crothers
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Robert Larner, M.D. College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, 05405, USA
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Alfano V, Capasso S, Limosani M. On the determinants of anti-COVID restriction and anti-vaccine movements: the case of IoApro in Italy. Sci Rep 2023; 13:16784. [PMID: 37798271 PMCID: PMC10556032 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-42133-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Following restrictions to control the spread of COVID-19, and subsequent vaccination campaigns, sentiments against such policies were quick to arise. While individual-level determinants that led to such attitudes have drawn much attention, there are also reasons to believe that the macro context in which these movements arose may contribute to their evolution. In this study, exploiting data on business activities which supported a major Italian anti-restriction and anti-vaccine movement, IoApro, using quantitative analysis that employs both a fractional response probit and logit model and a beta regression model, we investigate the relationship between socio-economic characteristics, institutional quality, and the flourishing of this movement. Our results suggest a U-shaped relationship between income and the proliferation of the movement, meaning that support for these movements increases the greater the degree of economic decline. Our results further indicate that the share of the population between 40 and 60 years old is positively related to support for such movements, as is institutional corruption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincenzo Alfano
- DiSEGIM, University of Napoli Parthenope, Naples, Italy.
- Center for Economic Studies - CES-Ifo, Munich, Germany.
| | - Salvatore Capasso
- Department of Human and Social Sciences, Italian National Research Council, Rome, Italy
- University of Napoli Parthenope, Naples, Italy
- CSEF, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
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Nicholls I, Spencer A, Chen Y, Bennett A, Atkinson B. Surface sampling for SARS-CoV-2 RNA in workplace outbreak settings in the UK, 2021-22. J Appl Microbiol 2023; 134:lxad216. [PMID: 37742225 DOI: 10.1093/jambio/lxad216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2023] [Revised: 08/14/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023]
Abstract
AIMS To utilize environmental surface sampling to evaluate areas of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) contamination within workplaces to identify trends and improve local coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) control measures. METHODS AND RESULTS Surface sampling was undertaken at 12 workplaces that experienced a cluster of COVID-19 cases in the workforce between March 2021 and March 2022. A total of 7.4% (61/829) samples collected were positive for SARS-CoV-2 RNA by the quantitative PCR (qPCR) with only 1.8% (15/829) of samples identified with crossing threshold (Ct) values <35.0. No sample returned whole-genome sequence inferring RNA detected was degraded. CONCLUSIONS Few workplace surface samples were positive for SARS-CoV-2 RNA and positive samples typically contained low levels of nucleic acid. Although these data may infer a low probability of fomite transmission within the workplace, Ct values may have been lower at the time of contamination. Workplace environmental sampling identified lapses in COVID-19 control measures within individual sites and showed trends throughout the pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian Nicholls
- Research and Evaluation, UK Health Security Agency, Porton Down, Salisbury, SP4 0JG, United Kingdom
| | - Antony Spencer
- Research and Evaluation, UK Health Security Agency, Porton Down, Salisbury, SP4 0JG, United Kingdom
| | - Yiqun Chen
- Science Division, Health and Safety Executive, Buxton, SK17 9JN, United Kingdom
| | - Allan Bennett
- Research and Evaluation, UK Health Security Agency, Porton Down, Salisbury, SP4 0JG, United Kingdom
| | - Barry Atkinson
- Research and Evaluation, UK Health Security Agency, Porton Down, Salisbury, SP4 0JG, United Kingdom
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Worp N, Subissi L, Perkins MD, Van Kerkhove MD, Agrawal A, Chand M, van Beek J, Oude Munnink BB, Koopmans MPG. Towards the development of a SARS-CoV-2 variant risk assessment tool: expert consultation on the assessment of scientific evidence on emerging variants. THE LANCET. MICROBE 2023; 4:e830-e836. [PMID: 37640039 DOI: 10.1016/s2666-5247(23)00179-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2023] [Revised: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
A systematic approach is required for the development of an evidence-based risk assessment tool to robustly estimate the risks and implications of SARS-CoV-2 variants. We conducted a survey among experts involved in technical advisory roles for WHO to capture their assessment of the robustness of different study types that provide evidence for potential changes in transmissibility, antigenicity, virulence, treatability, and detectability of SARS-CoV-2 variants. The views of 62 experts indicated that studies could be grouped on the basis of robustness and reliability for the different risk indicators mentioned. Several study types that experts scored as providing reliable evidence and that can be performed in a timely manner were identified. Although experts from different technical areas had varying responses, there was agreement on the highest and lowest scoring study types. These findings can help to prioritise, harmonise, and optimise study designs for the further development of a systematic, evidence-based, SARS-CoV-2 variant risk assessment tool.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathalie Worp
- Department of Viroscience, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | | | | | | | - Anurag Agrawal
- Trivedi School of Biosciences, Ashoka University, Sonipat, India
| | | | - Janko van Beek
- Department of Viroscience, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Bas B Oude Munnink
- Department of Viroscience, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Marion P G Koopmans
- Department of Viroscience, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands.
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Harrison RE, Hamada A, Haswell N, Groves A, Vihta KD, Cella K, Garner S, Walker AS, Seale AC. Cycle Threshold Values as Indication of Increasing SARS-CoV-2 New Variants, England, 2020-2022. Emerg Infect Dis 2023; 29:2024-2031. [PMID: 37678158 PMCID: PMC10521603 DOI: 10.3201/eid2910.230030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Early detection of increased infections or new variants of SARS-CoV-2 is critical for public health response. To determine whether cycle threshold (Ct) data from PCR tests for SARS-CoV-2 could serve as an early indicator of epidemic growth, we analyzed daily mean Ct values in England, UK, by gene target and used iterative sequential regression to detect break points in mean Ct values (and positive test counts). To monitor the epidemic in England, we continued those analyses in real time. During September 2020-January 2022, a total of 7,611,153 positive SARS-CoV-2 PCR test results with Ct data were reported. Spike (S) gene target (S+/S-)-specific mean Ct values decreased 6-29 days before positive test counts increased, and S-gene Ct values provided early indication of increasing new variants (Delta and Omicron). Our approach was beneficial in the context of the first waves of the COVID-19 pandemic and can be used to support future infectious disease monitoring.
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Ayed AY, Younis NM, Ahmed MM. Comparison of infection severity of vaccinated and unvaccinated health workers with Corona Virus: A cohort study. JOURNAL OF EDUCATION AND HEALTH PROMOTION 2023; 12:336. [PMID: 38023101 PMCID: PMC10671011 DOI: 10.4103/jehp.jehp_440_23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hospital staff members are most susceptible to the COVID-19 illness, which is currently prevented through vaccination. Hospital staff members also refuse vaccinations, albeit the underlying causes have not been identified. The study aimed to compare the severity of the symptoms of the disease on the body for health workers who took the coronavirus vaccine and those who did not take the vaccine. MATERIALS AND METHODS This cohort study aimed to estimate the of infection severity of vaccinated and unvaccinated health workers with Corona Virus in Mosul Hospital, Iraq. Data were obtained from the General Mosul Hospital, Nineveh, Iraq. The first of the three components of this questionnaire outlined the demographic characteristics. Second part: First group of unvaccinated Health care workers included those who had not received the COVID-19 immunization or had only gotten one dose of the vaccine; the second group included those who had received their first dose of Corona vaccine and the third group included those who had received two doses of Corona Vaccine. HCWs who got corona vaccine were included in the three-dose final group. RESULTS The study's findings indicate that as compared to the corona vaccination, the vaccinated experienced less severe infection symptoms and fewer dosage stays. The high share of healthcare workers among the 20- to 30-year-olds who received vaccinations accounts for the gender gap between the vaccinated and unvaccinated groups. CONCLUSION This study concluded that the results of the corona vaccine are not consistent among the various groups of HCWs. The acceptability of vaccinations is practically unanimous among nurses, but less so among doctors and other healthcare professionals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alaa Y. Ayed
- Department of Clinical Nursing Sciences, College of Nursing, University of Mosul, Iraq
| | - Nasir M. Younis
- Department of Clinical Nursing Sciences, College of Nursing, University of Mosul, Iraq
| | - Mahmoud M. Ahmed
- Department of Clinical Nursing Sciences, College of Nursing, University of Mosul, Iraq
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Pellegrinelli L, Luconi E, Marano G, Galli C, Delbue S, Bubba L, Binda S, Castaldi S, Biganzoli E, Pariani E, Boracchi P. A Flexible Regression Modeling Approach Applied to Observational Laboratory Virological Data Suggests That SARS-CoV-2 Load in Upper Respiratory Tract Samples Changes with COVID-19 Epidemiology. Viruses 2023; 15:1988. [PMID: 37896765 PMCID: PMC10610845 DOI: 10.3390/v15101988] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2023] [Revised: 09/12/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
(1) Background. Exploring the evolution of SARS-CoV-2 load and clearance from the upper respiratory tract samples is important to improving COVID-19 control. Data were collected retrospectively from a laboratory dataset on SARS-CoV-2 load quantified in leftover nasal pharyngeal swabs (NPSs) collected from symptomatic/asymptomatic individuals who tested positive to SARS-CoV-2 RNA detection in the framework of testing activities for diagnostic/screening purpose during the 2020 and 2021 winter epidemic waves. (2) Methods. A Statistical approach (quantile regression and survival models for interval-censored data), novel for this kind of data, was applied. We included in the analysis SARS-CoV-2-positive adults >18 years old for whom at least two serial NPSs were collected. A total of 262 SARS-CoV-2-positive individuals and 784 NPSs were included: 193 (593 NPSs) during the 2020 winter wave (before COVID-19 vaccine introduction) and 69 (191 NPSs) during the 2021 winter wave (all COVID-19 vaccinated). We estimated the trend of the median value, as well as the 25th and 75th centiles of the viral load, from the index episode (i.e., first SARS-CoV-2-positive test) until the sixth week (2020 wave) and the third week (2021 wave). Interval censoring methods were used to evaluate the time to SARS-CoV-2 clearance (defined as Ct < 35). (3) Results. At the index episode, the median value of viral load in the 2021 winter wave was 6.25 log copies/mL (95% CI: 5.50-6.70), and the median value in the 2020 winter wave was 5.42 log copies/mL (95% CI: 4.95-5.90). In contrast, 14 days after the index episode, the median value of viral load was 3.40 log copies/mL (95% CI: 3.26-3.54) for individuals during the 2020 winter wave and 2.93 Log copies/mL (95% CI: 2.80-3.19) for those of the 2021 winter wave. A significant difference in viral load shapes was observed among age classes (p = 0.0302) and between symptomatic and asymptomatic participants (p = 0.0187) for the first wave only; the median viral load value is higher at the day of episode index for the youngest (18-39 years) as compared to the older (40-64 years and >64 years) individuals. In the 2021 epidemic, the estimated proportion of individuals who can be considered infectious (Ct < 35) was approximately half that of the 2020 wave. (4) Conclusions. In case of the emergence of new SARS-CoV-2 variants, the application of these statistical methods to the analysis of virological laboratory data may provide evidence with which to inform and promptly support public health decision-makers in the modification of COVID-19 control measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Pellegrinelli
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, University of Milan, 20133 Milan, Italy; (L.P.)
| | - Ester Luconi
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences (DIBIC), University of Milan, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Marano
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences (DIBIC), University of Milan, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Cristina Galli
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, University of Milan, 20133 Milan, Italy; (L.P.)
| | - Serena Delbue
- Department of Biomedical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, University of Milan, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Laura Bubba
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, University of Milan, 20133 Milan, Italy; (L.P.)
| | - Sandro Binda
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, University of Milan, 20133 Milan, Italy; (L.P.)
| | - Silvana Castaldi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, University of Milan, 20133 Milan, Italy; (L.P.)
- Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Elia Biganzoli
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences (DIBIC), University of Milan, 20133 Milan, Italy
- Data Science and Research Center (DSRC), L. Sacco, “Luigi Sacco” University Hospital, University of Milan, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Elena Pariani
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, University of Milan, 20133 Milan, Italy; (L.P.)
| | - Patrizia Boracchi
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences (DIBIC), University of Milan, 20133 Milan, Italy
- Data Science and Research Center (DSRC), L. Sacco, “Luigi Sacco” University Hospital, University of Milan, 20133 Milan, Italy
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Rzymski P, Pokorska-Śpiewak M, Jackowska T, Kuchar E, Nitsch-Osuch A, Pawłowska M, Babicki M, Jaroszewicz J, Szenborn L, Wysocki J, Flisiak R. Key Considerations during the Transition from the Acute Phase of the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Narrative Review. Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:1502. [PMID: 37766178 PMCID: PMC10537111 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11091502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2023] [Revised: 09/12/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has been met with an unprecedented response from the scientific community, leading to the development, investigation, and authorization of vaccines and antivirals, ultimately reducing the impact of SARS-CoV-2 on global public health. However, SARS-CoV-2 is far from being eradicated, continues to evolve, and causes substantial health and economic burdens. In this narrative review, we posit essential points on SARS-CoV-2 and its responsible management during the transition from the acute phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. As discussed, despite Omicron (sub)variant(s) causing clinically milder infections, SARS-CoV-2 is far from being a negligible pathogen. It requires continued genomic surveillance, particularly if one considers that its future (sub)lineages do not necessarily have to be milder. Antivirals and vaccines remain the essential elements in COVID-19 management. However, the former could benefit from further development and improvements in dosing, while the seasonal administration of the latter requires simplification to increase interest and tackle vaccine hesitancy. It is also essential to ensure the accessibility of COVID-19 pharmaceuticals and vaccines in low-income countries and improve the understanding of their use in the context of the long-term goals of SARS-CoV-2 management. Regardless of location, the primary role of COVID-19 awareness and education must be played by healthcare workers, who directly communicate with patients and serve as role models for healthy behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Piotr Rzymski
- Department of Environmental Medicine, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-806 Poznań, Poland
| | - Maria Pokorska-Śpiewak
- Department of Children’s Infectious Diseases, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-091 Warsaw, Poland;
| | - Teresa Jackowska
- Department of Pediatrics, Centre for Postgraduate Medical Education, 01-813 Warsaw, Poland;
| | - Ernest Kuchar
- Department of Pediatrics with Clinical Assessment Unit, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-091 Warsaw, Poland;
| | - Aneta Nitsch-Osuch
- Department of Social Medicine and Public Health, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-007 Warsaw, Poland;
| | - Małgorzata Pawłowska
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Hepatology, Faculty of Medicine, Collegium Medicum, Nicolaus Copernicus University, 85-067 Bydgoszcz, Poland;
| | - Mateusz Babicki
- Department of Family Medicine, Wroclaw Medical University, 51-141 Wroclaw, Poland;
| | - Jerzy Jaroszewicz
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Hepatology, Medical University of Silesia, 41-902 Bytom, Poland;
| | - Leszek Szenborn
- Department of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Wrocław Medical University, 50-367 Wroclaw, Poland;
| | - Jacek Wysocki
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 61-701 Poznań, Poland;
| | - Robert Flisiak
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Hepatology, Medical University of Białystok, 15-089 Bialystok, Poland;
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Baerends EA, Hvidt AK, Reekie J, Søgaard OS, Stærke NB, Raben D, Nielsen H, Petersen KT, Juhl MR, Johansen IS, Lindvig SO, Madsen LW, Wiese L, Knudsen LS, Iversen MB, Benfield T, Iversen KK, Andersen SD, Juhl AK, Dietz LL, Andreasen SR, Fischer TK, Erikstrup C, Valentiner-Branth P, Lundgren J, Østergaard L, Tolstrup M. SARS-CoV-2 vaccine-induced antibodies protect against Omicron breakthrough infection. iScience 2023; 26:107621. [PMID: 37682631 PMCID: PMC10481355 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.107621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2023] [Revised: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 Omicron quickly spread globally, also in regions with high vaccination coverage, emphasizing the importance of exploring the immunological requirements for protection against Omicron breakthrough infection. The test-negative matched case-control study (N = 964) characterized Omicron breakthrough infections in triple-vaccinated individuals from the ENFORCE cohort. Within 60 days before a PCR test spike-specific IgG levels were significantly lower in cases compared to controls (GMR [95% CI] for BA.2: 0.83 [0.73-0.95], p = 0.006). Multivariable logistic regression showed significant associations between high antibody levels and lower odds of infection (aOR [95% CI] for BA.2 spike-specific IgG: 0.65 [0.48-0.88], p = 0.006 and BA.2 ACE2-blocking antibodies: 0.46 [0.30-0.69], p = 0.0002). A sex-stratified analysis showed more pronounced associations for females than males. High levels of vaccine-induced antibodies provide partial protection against Omicron breakthrough infections. This is important knowledge to further characterize a threshold for protection against new variants and to estimate the necessity and timing of booster vaccination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva A.M. Baerends
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Astrid K. Hvidt
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Joanne Reekie
- Center of Excellence for Health, Immunity and Infections, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Ole S. Søgaard
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Nina B. Stærke
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Dorthe Raben
- Center of Excellence for Health, Immunity and Infections, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Henrik Nielsen
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Kristine T. Petersen
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Maria R. Juhl
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Isik S. Johansen
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Susan O. Lindvig
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Lone W. Madsen
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Lothar Wiese
- Department of Medicine, Zealand University Hospital, Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Lene S. Knudsen
- Department of Medicine, Zealand University Hospital, Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Mette B. Iversen
- Department of Medicine, Zealand University Hospital, Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Thomas Benfield
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital – Amager and Hvidovre, Hvidovre, Denmark
- Departments of Clinical Medicine and Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Kasper K. Iversen
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital – Amager and Hvidovre, Hvidovre, Denmark
- Department of Cardiology and Emergency Medicine, Herlev Hospital, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Sidsel D. Andersen
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Anna K. Juhl
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Lisa L. Dietz
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Signe R. Andreasen
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Thea K. Fischer
- Departments of Clinical Medicine and Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Research, Nordsjællands University Hospital, Hillerød, Denmark
| | - Christian Erikstrup
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Palle Valentiner-Branth
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Prevention, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jens Lundgren
- Center of Excellence for Health, Immunity and Infections, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Departments of Clinical Medicine and Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital – Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Lars Østergaard
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Martin Tolstrup
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
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Si Y, Wu W, Xue X, Sun X, Qin Y, Li Y, Qiu C, Li Y, Zhuo Z, Mi Y, Zheng P. The evolution of SARS-CoV-2 and the COVID-19 pandemic. PeerJ 2023; 11:e15990. [PMID: 37701824 PMCID: PMC10493083 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.15990] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Scientists have made great efforts to understand the evolution of SARS-CoV-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2) to provide crucial information to public health experts on strategies to control this viral pathogen. The pandemic of the coronavirus disease that began in 2019, COVID-19, lasted nearly three years, and nearly all countries have set different epidemic prevention policies for this virus. The continuous evolution of SARS-CoV-2 alters its pathogenicity and infectivity in human hosts, thus the policy and treatments have been continually adjusted. Based on our previous study on the dynamics of binding ability prediction between the COVID-19 spike protein and human ACE2, the present study mined over 10 million sequences and epidemiological data of SARS-CoV-2 during 2020-2022 to understand the evolutionary path of SARS-CoV-2. We analyzed and predicted the mutation rates of the whole genome and main proteins of SARS-CoV-2 from different populations to understand the adaptive relationship between humans and COVID-19. Our study identified a correlation of the mutation rates from each protein of SARS-CoV-2 and various human populations. Overall, this analysis provides a scientific basis for developing data-driven strategies to confront human pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanfang Si
- Henan Key Laboratory of Helicobacter Pylori & Microbiota and Gastrointestinal Cancer, Marshall Medical Research Cente, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
- Academy of Medical Science, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Weidong Wu
- BGI College & Henan Institute of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Xia Xue
- Henan Key Laboratory of Helicobacter Pylori & Microbiota and Gastrointestinal Cancer, Marshall Medical Research Cente, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
- Academy of Medical Science, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Xiangdong Sun
- Henan Key Laboratory of Helicobacter Pylori & Microbiota and Gastrointestinal Cancer, Marshall Medical Research Cente, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
- Academy of Medical Science, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Yaping Qin
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan Institute of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Ya Li
- Henan Key Laboratory of Helicobacter Pylori & Microbiota and Gastrointestinal Cancer, Marshall Medical Research Cente, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
- Academy of Medical Science, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Chunjing Qiu
- Henan Key Laboratory of Helicobacter Pylori & Microbiota and Gastrointestinal Cancer, Marshall Medical Research Cente, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
- Academy of Medical Science, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Yingying Li
- Henan Key Laboratory of Helicobacter Pylori & Microbiota and Gastrointestinal Cancer, Marshall Medical Research Cente, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
- Academy of Medical Science, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Ziran Zhuo
- BGI College & Henan Institute of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Yang Mi
- Henan Key Laboratory of Helicobacter Pylori & Microbiota and Gastrointestinal Cancer, Marshall Medical Research Cente, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
- Academy of Medical Science, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Pengyuan Zheng
- Henan Key Laboratory of Helicobacter Pylori & Microbiota and Gastrointestinal Cancer, Marshall Medical Research Cente, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
- Academy of Medical Science, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
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Mongin D, Bürgisser N, Laurie G, Schimmel G, Vu DL, Cullati S, Courvoisier DS. Effect of SARS-CoV-2 prior infection and mRNA vaccination on contagiousness and susceptibility to infection. Nat Commun 2023; 14:5452. [PMID: 37673865 PMCID: PMC10482859 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-41109-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The immunity conferred by SARS-CoV-2 vaccines and infections reduces the transmission of the virus. To answer how the effect of immunity is shared between a reduction of infectiousness and an increased protection against infection, we examined >50,000 positive cases and >110,000 contacts from Geneva, Switzerland (June 2020 to March 2022). We assessed the association between secondary attack rate (i.e. proportion of new cases among contacts) and immunity from natural infection and/or vaccination, stratifying per four SARS-CoV-2 variants and adjusting for index cases and contacts' socio-demographic characteristics and the propensity of the contacts to be tested. Here we show that immunity protected contacts from infection, rather than reducing infectiousness of index cases. Natural infection conferred the strongest immunity. Hybrid immunity did not surpass recent infection. Although of smaller amplitude, the reduction in infectiousness due to vaccination was less affected by time and by the emergence of new SARS-CoV-2 variants than the susceptibility to infection. These findings support the role of vaccine in reducing infectiousness and underscore the complementary role of interventions reducing SARS-CoV-2 propagation, such as mask use or indoor ventilation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denis Mongin
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.
| | - Nils Bürgisser
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
- General internal medicine division, Department of Medicine, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Gustavo Laurie
- Division of General cantonal physician, Geneva Directorate of Health, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Guillaume Schimmel
- Division of General cantonal physician, Geneva Directorate of Health, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Diem-Lan Vu
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
- Division of General cantonal physician, Geneva Directorate of Health, Geneva, Switzerland
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
- Laboratory of Virology, Division of Laboratory Medicine, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Stephane Cullati
- Division Quality of care, University Hospitals of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
- Population Health Laboratory (#PopHealthLab), Faculty of Science and Medicine, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Delphine Sophie Courvoisier
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
- Division Quality of care, University Hospitals of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
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Kliegr T, Jarkovský J, Jiřincová H, Kuchař J, Karel T, Chudán D, Vojíř S, Zavřel M, Šanca O, Tachezy R. Can variants, reinfection, symptoms and test types affect COVID-19 diagnostic performance? A large-scale retrospective study of AG-RDTs during circulation of Delta and Omicron variants, Czechia, December 2021 to February 2022. Euro Surveill 2023; 28:2200938. [PMID: 37733239 PMCID: PMC10515498 DOI: 10.2807/1560-7917.es.2023.28.38.2200938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 05/26/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023] Open
Abstract
BackgroundThe sensitivity and specificity of selected antigen detection rapid diagnostic tests (AG-RDTs) for SARS-CoV-2 were determined in the unvaccinated population when the Delta variant was circulating. Viral loads, dynamics, symptoms and tissue tropism differ between Omicron and Delta.AimWe aimed to compare AG-RDT sensitivity and specificity in selected subgroups during Omicron vs Delta circulation.MethodsWe retrospectively paired AG-RDT results with PCRs registered in Czechia's Information System for Infectious Diseases from 1 to 25 December 2021 (Delta, n = 20,121) and 20 January to 24 February 2022 (Omicron, n = 47,104).ResultsWhen confirmatory PCR was conducted on the same day as AG-RDT as a proxy for antigen testing close to peak viral load, the average sensitivity for Delta was 80.4% and for Omicron 81.4% (p < 0.05). Sensitivity in vaccinated individuals was lower for Omicron (OR = 0.94; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.87-1.03), particularly in reinfections (OR = 0.83; 95% CI: 0.75-0.92). Saliva AG-RDT sensitivity was below average for both Delta (74.4%) and Omicron (78.4%). Tests on the European Union Category A list had higher sensitivity than tests in Category B. The highest sensitivity for Omicron (88.5%) was recorded for patients with loss of smell or taste, however, these symptoms were almost 10-fold less common than for Delta. The sensitivity of AG-RDTs performed on initially asymptomatic individuals done 1, 2 or 3 days before a positive PCR test was consistently lower for Omicron compared with Delta.ConclusionSensitivity for Omicron was lower in subgroups that may become more common if SARS-CoV-2 becomes an endemic virus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomáš Kliegr
- These authors contributed equally to this article and share the first authorship
- Department of Information and Knowledge Engineering, Faculty of Informatics and Statistics, Prague University of Economics and Business, Prague, Czechia
| | - Jiří Jarkovský
- These authors contributed equally to this article and share the first authorship
- Institute of Biostatistics and Analyses, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czechia
- Institute of Health Information and Statistics of the Czech Republic, Prague, Czechia
| | - Helena Jiřincová
- National Reference Laboratory for Influenza and Respiratory Viruses, National Institute of Public Health, Prague, Czechia
| | - Jaroslav Kuchař
- Department of Software Engineering, Faculty of Information Technology, Czech Technical University, Prague, Czechia
| | - Tomáš Karel
- Department of Statistics and Probability, Faculty of Informatics and Statistics, Prague University of Economics and Business, Prague, Czechia
| | - David Chudán
- Department of Information and Knowledge Engineering, Faculty of Informatics and Statistics, Prague University of Economics and Business, Prague, Czechia
| | - Stanislav Vojíř
- Department of Information and Knowledge Engineering, Faculty of Informatics and Statistics, Prague University of Economics and Business, Prague, Czechia
| | - Michal Zavřel
- Institute of Health Information and Statistics of the Czech Republic, Prague, Czechia
| | - Ondřej Šanca
- Institute of Biostatistics and Analyses, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czechia
- Institute of Health Information and Statistics of the Czech Republic, Prague, Czechia
| | - Ruth Tachezy
- Department of Genetics and Microbiology, Faculty of Science-BIOCEV, Charles University, Prague, Czechia
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Nyberg T, Bager P, Svalgaard IB, Bejko D, Bundle N, Evans J, Krause TG, McMenamin J, Mossong J, Mutch H, Omokanye A, Peralta-Santos A, Pinto-Leite P, Starrfelt J, Thelwall S, Veneti L, Whittaker R, Wood J, Pebody R, Presanis AM. A standardised protocol for relative SARS-CoV-2 variant severity assessment, applied to Omicron BA.1 and Delta in six European countries, October 2021 to February 2022. Euro Surveill 2023; 28:2300048. [PMID: 37676146 PMCID: PMC10486193 DOI: 10.2807/1560-7917.es.2023.28.36.2300048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 05/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Several SARS-CoV-2 variants that evolved during the COVID-19 pandemic have appeared to differ in severity, based on analyses of single-country datasets. With decreased testing and sequencing, international collaborative studies will become increasingly important for timely assessment of the severity of new variants. Therefore, a joint WHO Regional Office for Europe and ECDC working group was formed to produce and pilot a standardised study protocol to estimate relative case-severity of SARS-CoV-2 variants during periods when two variants were co-circulating. The study protocol and its associated statistical analysis code was applied by investigators in Denmark, England, Luxembourg, Norway, Portugal and Scotland to assess the severity of cases with the Omicron BA.1 virus variant relative to Delta. After pooling estimates using meta-analysis methods (random effects estimates), the risk of hospital admission (adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) = 0.41; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.31-0.54), admission to intensive care unit (aHR = 0.12; 95% CI: 0.05-0.27) and death (aHR = 0.31; 95% CI: 0.28-0.35) was lower for Omicron BA.1 compared with Delta cases. The aHRs varied by age group and vaccination status. In conclusion, this study demonstrates the feasibility of conducting variant severity analyses in a multinational collaborative framework and adds evidence for the reduced severity of the Omicron BA.1 variant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tommy Nyberg
- MRC Biostatistics Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | | | | | | | - Nick Bundle
- European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Josie Evans
- Public Health Scotland, Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | | | - Jim McMenamin
- Public Health Scotland, Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | | | - Heather Mutch
- Public Health Scotland, Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | - Ajibola Omokanye
- European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | | | | | - Simon Thelwall
- COVID-19 Vaccines and Epidemiology Division, UK Health Security Agency, London, United Kingdom
| | | | | | - John Wood
- Public Health Scotland, Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | - Richard Pebody
- These authors contributed equally to this work and share last authorship
- World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Anne M Presanis
- MRC Biostatistics Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- These authors contributed equally to this work and share last authorship
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Hou M, Shi J, Gong Z, Wen H, Lan Y, Deng X, Fan Q, Li J, Jiang M, Tang X, Wu CI, Li F, Ruan Y. Intra- vs. Interhost Evolution of SARS-CoV-2 Driven by Uncorrelated Selection-The Evolution Thwarted. Mol Biol Evol 2023; 40:msad204. [PMID: 37707487 PMCID: PMC10521905 DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msad204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2023] [Revised: 09/05/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/15/2023] Open
Abstract
In viral evolution, a new mutation has to proliferate within the host (Stage I) in order to be transmitted and then compete in the host population (Stage II). We now analyze the intrahost single nucleotide variants (iSNVs) in a set of 79 SARS-CoV-2 infected patients with most transmissions tracked. Here, every mutation has two measures: 1) iSNV frequency within each individual host in Stage I; 2) occurrence among individuals ranging from 1 (private), 2-78 (public), to 79 (global) occurrences in Stage II. In Stage I, a small fraction of nonsynonymous iSNVs are sufficiently advantageous to rise to a high frequency, often 100%. However, such iSNVs usually fail to become public mutations. Thus, the selective forces in the two stages of evolution are uncorrelated and, possibly, antagonistic. For that reason, successful mutants, including many variants of concern, have to avoid being eliminated in Stage I when they first emerge. As a result, they may not have the transmission advantage to outcompete the dominant strains and, hence, are rare in the host population. Few of them could manage to slowly accumulate advantageous mutations to compete in Stage II. When they do, they would appear suddenly as in each of the six successive waves of SARS-CoV-2 strains. In conclusion, Stage I evolution, the gate-keeper, may contravene the long-term viral evolution and should be heeded in viral studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mei Hou
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jingrong Shi
- Guangzhou Eighth People's Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zanke Gong
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Haijun Wen
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yun Lan
- Guangzhou Eighth People's Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xizi Deng
- Guangzhou Eighth People's Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qinghong Fan
- Guangzhou Eighth People's Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jiaojiao Li
- Guangzhou Eighth People's Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Mengling Jiang
- Guangzhou Eighth People's Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaoping Tang
- Guangzhou Eighth People's Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Chung-I Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Feng Li
- Guangzhou Eighth People's Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yongsen Ruan
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
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Moragas M, Golemba MD, Fernández MF, Palladino M, Gómez S, Borgnia D, Ruhle M, Arias A, Ruvinsky S, Bologna R, Mangano A. COVID-19 in immunocompromised children: comparison of SARS-CoV-2 viral load dynamics between the first and third waves. Braz J Microbiol 2023; 54:1859-1864. [PMID: 37258876 PMCID: PMC10232338 DOI: 10.1007/s42770-023-01009-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/02/2023] Open
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 dynamics across different COVID-19 waves has been unclear in immunocompromised children. We aimed to compare the dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 RNA viral load (VL) during the first and third waves of COVID-19 in immunocompromised children. A retrospective and longitudinal cohort study was conducted in a pediatric referral hospital of Argentina. The study included 28 admitted immunocompromised children with laboratory confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection. Thirteen acquired the infection during COVID-19 first wave (May to August 2020, group 1 (G1)) and fifteen in the third wave (January to March 2022, group 2 (G2)). RNA viral load measure and its dynamic reconstruction were performed in nasopharyngeal swabs by validated quantitative, real time RT-PCR, and linear mixed-effects model, respectively. Of the 28 children included, 54% were girls, most of them had hemato-oncological pathology (57%), and the median age was 8 years (interquartile range (IQR): 3-13). The dynamic of VL was similar in both groups (P = 0.148), starting from a level of 5.34 log10 copies/mL (95% confidence interval (CI): 4.47-6.21) in G1 and 5.79 log10 copies/mL (95% CI: 4.93-6.65) in G2. Then, VL decayed with a rate of 0.059 (95% CI: 0.038-0.080) and 0.088 (95% CI: 0.058-0.118) log10 copies/mL per day since diagnosis and fell below the limit of quantification at days 51 and 39 after diagnosis in G1 and G2, respectively. Our results evidenced a longer viral RNA persistence in immunocompromised pediatric patients and no difference in VL dynamic between COVID-19 first wave-attributed to ancestral infections-and third wave-attributed to Omicron infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matías Moragas
- Unidad de Virología y Epidemiología Molecular - CONICET, Hospital de Pediatría "Prof. Dr. Juan P. Garrahan", Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - Marcelo D Golemba
- Unidad de Virología y Epidemiología Molecular - CONICET, Hospital de Pediatría "Prof. Dr. Juan P. Garrahan", Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María F Fernández
- Unidad de Virología y Epidemiología Molecular - CONICET, Hospital de Pediatría "Prof. Dr. Juan P. Garrahan", Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Marcela Palladino
- Unidad de Cuidados Intermedios y Moderados, Hospital de Pediatría "Prof. Dr. Juan P. Garrahan", Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Sandra Gómez
- Servicio de Epidemiología e Infectología, Hospital de Pediatría "Prof. Dr. Juan P. Garrahan", Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Daniela Borgnia
- Unidad de Virología y Epidemiología Molecular - CONICET, Hospital de Pediatría "Prof. Dr. Juan P. Garrahan", Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Martín Ruhle
- Unidad de Virología y Epidemiología Molecular - CONICET, Hospital de Pediatría "Prof. Dr. Juan P. Garrahan", Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Ana Arias
- Servicio de Epidemiología e Infectología, Hospital de Pediatría "Prof. Dr. Juan P. Garrahan", Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Silvina Ruvinsky
- Coordinación de Investigación, Hospital de Pediatría "Prof. Dr. Juan P. Garrahan", Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Rosa Bologna
- Servicio de Epidemiología e Infectología, Hospital de Pediatría "Prof. Dr. Juan P. Garrahan", Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Andrea Mangano
- Unidad de Virología y Epidemiología Molecular - CONICET, Hospital de Pediatría "Prof. Dr. Juan P. Garrahan", Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
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