1
|
Root-Bernstein R, Huber J, Ziehl A, Pietrowicz M. SARS-CoV-2 and Its Bacterial Co- or Super-Infections Synergize to Trigger COVID-19 Autoimmune Cardiopathies. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:12177. [PMID: 37569555 PMCID: PMC10418384 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241512177] [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: 07/08/2023] [Revised: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Autoimmune cardiopathies (AC) following COVID-19 and vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 occur at significant rates but are of unknown etiology. This study investigated the possible roles of viral and bacterial mimicry, as well as viral-bacterial co-infections, as possible inducers of COVID-19 AC using proteomic methods and enzyme-linked immunoadsorption assays. BLAST and LALIGN results of this study demonstrate that SARS-CoV-2 shares a significantly greater number of high quality similarities to some cardiac protein compared with other viruses; that bacteria such as Streptococci, Staphylococci and Enterococci also display very significant similarities to cardiac proteins but to a different set than SARS-CoV-2; that the importance of these similarities is largely validated by ELISA experiments demonstrating that polyclonal antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19-associated bacteria recognize cardiac proteins with high affinity; that to account for the range of cardiac proteins targeted by autoantibodies in COVID-19-associated autoimmune myocarditis, both viral and bacterial triggers are probably required; that the targets of the viral and bacterial antibodies are often molecularly complementary antigens such as actin and myosin, laminin and collagen, or creatine kinase and pyruvate kinase, that are known to bind to each other; and that the corresponding viral and bacterial antibodies recognizing these complementary antigens also bind to each other with high affinity as if they have an idiotype-anti-idiotype relationship. These results suggest that AC results from SARS-CoV-2 infections or vaccination complicated by bacterial infections. Vaccination against some of these bacterial infections, such as Streptococci and Haemophilus, may therefore decrease AC risk, as may the appropriate and timely use of antibiotics among COVID-19 patients and careful screening of vaccinees for signs of infection such as fever, diarrhea, infected wounds, gum disease, etc.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Robert Root-Bernstein
- Department of Physiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA; (J.H.); (A.Z.); (M.P.)
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
2
|
Yilmaz FK, Cakir M, Ikiisik H, Maral I. The Effect of Pneumococcal, Influenza, and COVID-19 Vaccinations on COVID-19 Hospitalization and Progression in People over 65 Years Old Living in Nursing Homes. Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:vaccines11050943. [PMID: 37243046 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11050943] [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: 03/31/2023] [Revised: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 04/29/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Infectious diseases pose a major threat to elderly populations. Streptococcus pneumonia bacteria, influenza-causing viruses, and COVID-19 viruses cause three pathologies in the respiratory system with similar symptoms, transmission routes, and risk factors. Our study aimed to evaluate the effects of pneumococcal, influenza, and COVID-19 vaccinations on the status of COVID-19 hospitalization and progression in people over 65 years of age living in nursing homes. This study was performed in all nursing homes and elderly care centers in the Uskudar district of Istanbul.The diagnosis rate of COVID-19 was determined as 49%, the rate of hospitalization as 22.4%, the rate of hospitalization in the intensive care unit as 12.2%. The rate of intubation was determined as 10.4%, the rate of mechanical ventilation as 11.1% and the rate of COVID-19 related mortality rate as 9.7%. When the factors affecting the diagnosis of COVID-19 were examined, the presence and dose of COVID-19 vaccine was protective. When the factors affecting hospitalization status were examined, male sex and presence of chronic disease were risk factors; four doses of COVID-19 vaccine and influenza vaccine and pneumococcal vaccine together with COVID-19 vaccine were protective. When the factors affecting COVID-19-related death were examined, the male sex was a risk factor; the pneumococcal and influenza vaccine together with COVID-19 vaccine were protective. Our results revealed that the availability of influenza and pneumococcal vaccines positively impacted the progression of COVID-19 disease in the elderly population living in nursing homes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Feyza Kutay Yilmaz
- Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul Medeniyet University, Istanbul 34700, Turkey
| | - Mustafa Cakir
- Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul Medeniyet University, Istanbul 34700, Turkey
| | - Hatice Ikiisik
- Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul Medeniyet University, Istanbul 34700, Turkey
| | - Isil Maral
- Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul Medeniyet University, Istanbul 34700, Turkey
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Root-Bernstein R. From Co-Infections to Autoimmune Disease via Hyperactivated Innate Immunity: COVID-19 Autoimmune Coagulopathies, Autoimmune Myocarditis and Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24033001. [PMID: 36769320 PMCID: PMC9917907 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24033001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Revised: 01/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Neutrophilia and the production of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) are two of many measures of increased inflammation in severe COVID-19 that also accompany its autoimmune complications, including coagulopathies, myocarditis and multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C). This paper integrates currently disparate measures of innate hyperactivation in severe COVID-19 and its autoimmune complications, and relates these to SARS-CoV-2 activation of innate immunity. Aggregated data include activation of Toll-like receptors (TLRs), nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain (NOD) receptors, NOD leucine-rich repeat and pyrin-domain-containing receptors (NLRPs), retinoic acid-inducible gene I (RIG-I) and melanoma-differentiation-associated gene 5 (MDA-5). SARS-CoV-2 mainly activates the virus-associated innate receptors TLR3, TLR7, TLR8, NLRP3, RIG-1 and MDA-5. Severe COVID-19, however, is characterized by additional activation of TLR1, TLR2, TLR4, TLR5, TLR6, NOD1 and NOD2, which are primarily responsive to bacterial antigens. The innate activation patterns in autoimmune coagulopathies, myocarditis and Kawasaki disease, or MIS-C, mimic those of severe COVID-19 rather than SARS-CoV-2 alone suggesting that autoimmunity follows combined SARS-CoV-2-bacterial infections. Viral and bacterial receptors are known to synergize to produce the increased inflammation required to support autoimmune disease pathology. Additional studies demonstrate that anti-bacterial antibodies are also required to account for known autoantigen targets in COVID-19 autoimmune complications.
Collapse
|
4
|
Root-Bernstein R, Churchill E, Oliverio S. T Cell Receptor Sequences Amplified during Severe COVID-19 and Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children Mimic SARS-CoV-2, Its Bacterial Co-Infections and Host Autoantigens. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24021335. [PMID: 36674851 PMCID: PMC9861234 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24021335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 01/03/2023] [Accepted: 01/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Published hypervariable region V-beta T cell receptor (TCR) sequences were collected from people with severe COVID-19 characterized by having various autoimmune complications, including blood coagulopathies and cardiac autoimmunity, as well as from patients diagnosed with the Kawasaki disease (KD)-like multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C). These were compared with comparable published v-beta TCR sequences from people diagnosed with KD and from healthy individuals. Since TCR V-beta sequences are supposed to be complementary to antigens that induce clonal expansion, it was surprising that only a quarter of the TCR sequences derived from severe COVID-19 and MIS-C patients mimicked SARS-CoV-2 proteins. Thirty percent of the KD-derived TCR mimicked coronaviruses other than SARS-CoV-2. In contrast, only three percent of the TCR sequences from healthy individuals and those diagnosed with autoimmune myocarditis displayed similarities to any coronavirus. In each disease, significant increases were found in the amount of TCRs from healthy individuals mimicking specific bacterial co-infections (especially Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcal and Streptococcal antigens) and host autoantigens targeted by autoimmune diseases (especially myosin, collagen, phospholipid-associated proteins, and blood coagulation proteins). Theoretical explanations for these surprising observations and implications to unravel the causes of autoimmune diseases are explored.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Robert Root-Bernstein
- Department of Physiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
- Correspondence:
| | - Elizabeth Churchill
- School of Health Sciences, George Washington University, Washington, DC 20052, USA
| | - Shelby Oliverio
- Department of Physiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Jiang B, Huang Q, Jia M, Xue X, Wang Q, Yang W, Feng L. Association between influenza vaccination and SARS-CoV-2 infection and its outcomes: systematic review and meta-analysis. Chin Med J (Engl) 2022; 135:2282-2293. [PMID: 36378238 PMCID: PMC9771237 DOI: 10.1097/cm9.0000000000002427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND World Health Organization recommends that influenza vaccines should benefit as much of the population as possible, especially where resources are limited. Corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has become one of the greatest threats to health systems worldwide. The present study aimed to extend the evidence of the association between influenza vaccination and COVID-19 to promote the former. METHODS In this systematic review, four electronic databases, including the Cochrane Library, PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science, were searched for related studies published up to May 2022. All odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were pooled by meta-analysis. RESULTS A total of 36 studies, encompassing 55,996,841 subjects, were included in this study. The meta-analysis for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection provided an OR of 0.80 (95% CI: 0.73-0.87). The statistically significant estimates for clinical outcomes were 0.83 (95% CI: 0.72-0.96) for intensive care unit admission, 0.69 (95% CI: 0.57-0.84) for ventilator support, and 0.69 (95% CI: 0.52-0.93) for fatal infection, while no effect seen in hospitalization with an OR of 0.87 (95% CI: 0.68-1.10). CONCLUSION Influenza vaccination helps limit SARS-CoV-2 infection and severe outcomes, but further studies are needed. REGISTRATION PROSPERO, CRD42022333747.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Binshan Jiang
- School of Population Medicine and Public Health, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100730, China
| | - Qiangru Huang
- School of Population Medicine and Public Health, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100730, China
| | - Mengmeng Jia
- School of Population Medicine and Public Health, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100730, China
| | - Xinai Xue
- Department of Medical Records, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100730, China
| | - Qing Wang
- School of Population Medicine and Public Health, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100730, China
| | - Weizhong Yang
- School of Population Medicine and Public Health, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100730, China
| | - Luzhao Feng
- School of Population Medicine and Public Health, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100730, China
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Root-Bernstein R, Huber J, Ziehl A. Complementary Sets of Autoantibodies Induced by SARS-CoV-2, Adenovirus and Bacterial Antigens Cross-React with Human Blood Protein Antigens in COVID-19 Coagulopathies. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms231911500. [PMID: 36232795 PMCID: PMC9569991 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231911500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Revised: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
COVID-19 patients often develop coagulopathies including microclotting, thrombotic strokes or thrombocytopenia. Autoantibodies are present against blood-related proteins including cardiolipin (CL), serum albumin (SA), platelet factor 4 (PF4), beta 2 glycoprotein 1 (β2GPI), phosphodiesterases (PDE), and coagulation factors such as Factor II, IX, X and von Willebrand factor (vWF). Different combinations of autoantibodies associate with different coagulopathies. Previous research revealed similarities between proteins with blood clotting functions and SARS-CoV-2 proteins, adenovirus, and bacterial proteins associated with moderate-to-severe COVID-19 infections. This study investigated whether polyclonal antibodies (mainly goat and rabbit) against these viruses and bacteria recognize human blood-related proteins. Antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 and adenovirus recognized vWF, PDE and PF4 and SARS-CoV-2 antibodies also recognized additional antigens. Most bacterial antibodies tested (group A streptococci [GAS], staphylococci, Escherichia coli [E. coli], Klebsiella pneumoniae, Clostridia, and Mycobacterium tuberculosis) cross-reacted with CL and PF4. while GAS antibodies also bound to F2, Factor VIII, Factor IX, and vWF, and E. coli antibodies to PDE. All cross-reactive interactions involved antibody-antigen binding constants smaller than 100 nM. Since most COVID-19 coagulopathy patients display autoantibodies against vWF, PDE and PF4 along with CL, combinations of viral and bacterial infections appear to be necessary to initiate their autoimmune coagulopathies.
Collapse
|
7
|
Sarmiento Clemente A, Kaplan SL, Barson WJ, Lin PL, Romero JR, Bradley JS, Tan TQ, Pannaraj PS, Givner LB, Hultén KG. Decrease in Pediatric Invasive Pneumococcal Disease During the COVID-19 Pandemic. J Pediatric Infect Dis Soc 2022; 11:426-428. [PMID: 35731619 PMCID: PMC9384319 DOI: 10.1093/jpids/piac056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
Measures to limit SARS-CoV-2 transmission in 2020 reduced other viral infections. Among 7 US children's hospitals, invasive pneumococcal disease cumulative incidence decreased by 46% in 2020 vs 2017-2019. Limited droplet transmission of pneumococci and preceding viral pathogens may be responsible.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Sarmiento Clemente
- Corresponding Author: Adriana Sarmiento Clemente, MD, Infectious Diseases Division, Feigin Tower at Texas Children’s Hospital, 1102 Bates Ave, Suite 1150, Houston, TX 77030, USA. E-mail:
| | - Sheldon L Kaplan
- Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - William J Barson
- Department of Pediatrics, Nationwide Children’s Hospital and College of Medicine and Public Health, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Philana Ling Lin
- Department of Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - José R Romero
- Department of Pediatrics, Arkansas Children’s Hospital and University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas, USA
| | - John S Bradley
- Department of Pediatrics, Rady Children’s Hospital–San Diego and University of California, San Diego, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Tina Q Tan
- Department of Pediatrics, Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago and Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Pia S Pannaraj
- Department of Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Laurence B Givner
- Department of Pediatrics, Brenner Children’s Hospital and Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA
| | - Kristina G Hultén
- Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, Texas, USA
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Distribution and Drug Resistance of Bacterial Pathogens Associated with Lower Respiratory Tract Infection in Children and the Effect of COVID-19 on the Distribution of Pathogens. THE CANADIAN JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES & MEDICAL MICROBIOLOGY = JOURNAL CANADIEN DES MALADIES INFECTIEUSES ET DE LA MICROBIOLOGIE MEDICALE 2022; 2022:1181283. [PMID: 35368516 PMCID: PMC8965734 DOI: 10.1155/2022/1181283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Revised: 01/26/2022] [Accepted: 03/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
By studying the distribution and drug resistance of bacterial pathogens associated with lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) in children in Chengdu and the effect of the COVID-19 on the distribution of pathogens and by analyzing the epidemic trend and drug resistance changes of the main pathogens of LRTI, this research is supposed to provide a useful basis for the prevention of LRTI in children and the rational use of drugs in clinical practice. Hospitalized children clinically diagnosed with LRTI in Chengdu Women and Children's Central Hospital from 2011 to 2020 were selected as the study subjects. The pathogens of LRTI in children and the distribution of pathogens in different ages, genders, seasons, years, and departments and before and after the pandemic situation of COVID-19 were counted. The drug resistance distribution of the top six pathogens with the highest infection rate in the past three years and the trend of drug resistance in the past decade were analyzed. A total of 26,469 pathogens were isolated. Among them, 6240 strains (23.6%) were Gram-positive bacteria, 20152 strains (76.1%) were Gram-negative bacteria, and 73 strains (0.3%) were fungi. Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, Enterobacter cloacae, and Staphylococcus aureus were highly isolated in the group of infants aged 0-1 (P < 0.01), Moraxella catarrhalis and Streptococcus pneumoniae were highly isolated in children aged 1–6 (P < 0.01), and Haemophilus influenzae was highly isolated in children over 1 (P < 0.01). The isolation rates of Enterobacteriaceae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, Staphylococcus aureus, and Candida albicans in the lower respiratory tract of 0-1 year-old male infants were higher than those of female infants (p < 0.05). Haemophilus influenzae was highly isolated in spring and summer, and Moraxella catarrhalis was highly isolated in autumn and winter, while the infection of Streptococcus pneumoniae was mainly concentrated in winter. This difference was statistically significant (P < 0.01). Affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, the isolation rates of Haemophilus influenzae and Streptococcus pneumoniae were significantly lower than those before the pandemic, and the isolation rate of Moraxella catarrhalis was significantly higher. The difference was statistically significant (P < 0.01). The proportion of isolated negative bacteria in NICU and PICU was higher than that in positive bacteria, and the infection rates of Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, Enterobacter cloacae, and Acinetobacter baumannii were higher than those in other departments. The differences were statistically significant (P < 0.01). The results of drug sensitivity test showed that the drug resistance of Haemophilus influenzae and Moraxella catarrhalis was mainly concentrated in Ampicillin, First- and Second-generation cephalosporins, and Cotrimoxazole, with stable sensitivity to Third-generation cephalosporins, while the drug resistance of Streptococcus pneumoniae was concentrated in Macrolides, Sulfonamides, and Tetracyclines, with stable sensitivity to Penicillin. Staphylococcus aureus is highly resistant to penicillins and macrolides and susceptible to vancomycin. Enterobacteriaceae resistance is concentrated in cephalosporins, with a low rate of carbapenem resistance. From 2018 to 2020, 1557 strains of Staphylococcus aureus were isolated, of which 416 strains were MRSA, accounting for 27% of the isolates; 1064 strains of Escherichia coli were isolated, of which 423 strains were ESBL and 23 strains were CRE, accounting for 40% and 2% of the isolates, respectively; and 1400 strains of Klebsiella pneumoniae were isolated, of which 385 strains were ESBL and 402 strains were CRE, accounting for 28% and 29% of the isolates, respectively. Since 2011, the resistance of Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae to Third-generation cephalosporins has increased, peaking in 2017, and has decreased after 2018, years after which carbapenem resistance has increased significantly, corresponding to an increase in the detection rate of Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae CRE. Findings from this study revealed that there are significant differences in community-associated infectious pathogens before and after the COVID-19 pandemic, and there are significant age differences, seasonal epidemic trends, and high departmental correlation of pathogens related to lower respiratory tract disease infection in children. There was a significant gender difference in the isolation rate of pathogens associated with LRTI in infants under one year. Vaccination, implementation of isolation measures and social distance, strengthening of personal protective measures, aseptic operation of invasive medical treatment, hand hygiene, and environmental disinfection are beneficial to reducing community-associated pathogen infection, opportunistic pathogen infection, and an increase in resistant bacteria. The strengthening of bacterial culture of lower respiratory tract samples by pediatricians is conducive to the diagnosis of respiratory tract infections caused by different pathogens, contributing to the selection of effective drugs for treatment according to drug susceptibility results, which is important for the rational use of antibiotics and curbing bacterial resistance.
Collapse
|
9
|
Strategies to successfully prevent COVID-19 outbreak in vulnerable uro-oncology patient population. Infection 2022; 50:1131-1137. [PMID: 35201605 PMCID: PMC8867446 DOI: 10.1007/s15010-022-01775-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2021] [Accepted: 02/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Purpose As COVID-19 pandemic persists with variants, and despite effective vaccination campaigns, breakthrough infections surge. We implemented strategies to protect vulnerable patients of the uro-oncologic outpatient clinic. We adopted proactive non-symptomatic risk reduction measures, which include non-symptomatic testing requirements for both patients and health care professionals (HCP), intensified patient tracing and contact reduction by implementation of digital health options. Here, we present our best practice example to safely guide oncology professionals and patients with metastasized genitourinary cancers through the current and future pandemics. Methods Solely for this purpose, we created a registry of collected data (current telephone numbers, e-mail addresses, vaccination status). We collected a nasopharyngeal swab from every patient upon presentation for treatment. We implemented bi-weekly RNA-PCR assay tests for HCP with patient contact, and limited personal contact at our facility through digital patient consultations. Results We started implementing our COVID prevention model at the beginning of the second wave in September 2020 and included 128 patients with urologic malignancies requiring systemic treatment. After COVID vaccination became available in December 2020, all of our HCP were fully vaccinated within 6 weeks and 97% of our patients (125/128) within 9 months. We performed 1410 nasopharyngeal swabs during in-house visits, thereby detecting two COVID-19 infections among our patients, who both survived and successfully continued treatment. To further reduce personal contact, half of our consultations were fully operated digitally, with 76% (97/128) of our patients participating in our digital health offers. Conclusion The willingness of patients and HCPs to participate in the study allowed us to implement strict standards to prepare for the ongoing and future pandemics in outpatient cancer units. Next to general preventive measures such as frequent hand disinfection, wearing facial masks, and keeping distance, an important measure to protect vulnerable uro-oncology patients is the capability to perform virus genome sequencing to trace transmission chains.
Collapse
|
10
|
Im H, Ser J, Sim U, Cho H. Promising Expectations for Pneumococcal Vaccination during COVID-19. Vaccines (Basel) 2021; 9:1507. [PMID: 34960253 PMCID: PMC8708837 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines9121507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2021] [Revised: 12/16/2021] [Accepted: 12/17/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The emergence of new viral infections has increased over the decades. The novel virus is one such pathogen liable for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, popularly known as coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Most fatalities during the past century's influenza pandemics have cooperated with bacterial co/secondary infections. Unfortunately, many reports have claimed that bacterial co-infection is also predominant in COVID-19 patients (COVID-19 associated co/secondary infection prevalence is up to 45.0%). In the COVID-19 pandemic, Streptococcus pneumoniae is the most common coinfecting pathogen. Half of the COVID-19 mortality cases showed co-infection, and pneumonia-related COVID-19 mortality in patients >65 years was 23%. The weakening of immune function caused by COVID-19 remains a high-risk factor for pneumococcal disease. Pneumococcal disease and COVID-19 also have similar risk factors. For example, underlying medical conditions on COVID-19 and pneumococcal diseases increase the risk for severe illness at any age; COVID-19 is now considered a primary risk factor for pneumococcal pneumonia and invasive pneumococcal disease. Thus, pneumococcal vaccination during the COVID-19 pandemic has become more critical than ever. This review presents positive studies of pneumococcal vaccination in patients with COVID-19 and other medical conditions and the correlational effects of pneumococcal disease with COVID-19 to prevent morbidity and mortality from co/secondary infections and superinfections. It also reports the importance and role of pneumococcal vaccination during the current COVID-19 pandemic era to strengthen the global health system.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hyobin Im
- Marketing Department, Pfizer Pharmaceuticals Korea, Pfizer Tower 110, Seoul 04631, Korea;
| | - Jinhui Ser
- Department of School of Materials Science & Engineering, Chonnam National University, Yongbong-ro 77, Gwangju 61186, Korea;
| | - Uk Sim
- Department of School of Materials Science & Engineering, Chonnam National University, Yongbong-ro 77, Gwangju 61186, Korea;
- Research Institute, NEEL Science, Incorporation, Yongbong-ro 77, Gwangju 61186, Korea
| | - Hoonsung Cho
- Department of School of Materials Science & Engineering, Chonnam National University, Yongbong-ro 77, Gwangju 61186, Korea;
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Root‐Bernstein R. COVID-19 coagulopathies: Human blood proteins mimic SARS-CoV-2 virus, vaccine proteins and bacterial co-infections inducing autoimmunity: Combinations of bacteria and SARS-CoV-2 synergize to induce autoantibodies targeting cardiolipin, cardiolipin-binding proteins, platelet factor 4, prothrombin, and coagulation factors. Bioessays 2021; 43:e2100158. [PMID: 34677872 PMCID: PMC8646673 DOI: 10.1002/bies.202100158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2021] [Revised: 09/28/2021] [Accepted: 09/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Severe COVID-19 is often accompanied by coagulopathies such as thrombocytopenia and abnormal clotting. Rarely, such complications follow SARS-CoV-2 vaccination. The cause of these coagulopathies is unknown. It is hypothesized that coagulopathies accompanying SARS-CoV-2 infections and vaccinations result from bacterial co-infections that synergize with virus-induced autoimmunity due to antigenic mimicry of blood proteins by both bacterial and viral antigens. Coagulopathies occur mainly in severe COVID-19 characterized by bacterial co-infections with Streptococci, Staphylococci, Klebsiella, Escherichia coli, and Acinetobacter baumannii. These bacteria express unusually large numbers of antigens mimicking human blood antigens, as do both SARS-CoV-2 and adenoviruses. Bacteria mimic cardiolipin, prothrombin, albumin, and platelet factor 4 (PF4). SARS-CoV-2 mimics complement factors, Rh antigens, platelet phosphodiesterases, Factors IX and X, von Willebrand Factor (VWF), and VWF protease ADAMTS13. Adenoviruses mimic prothrombin and platelet factor 4. Bacterial prophylaxis, avoidance of vaccinating bacterially infected individuals, and antigen deletion for vaccines may reduce coagulopathy risk. Also see the video abstract here: https://youtu.be/zWDOsghrPg8.
Collapse
|
12
|
Mollalo A, Mohammadi A, Mavaddati S, Kiani B. Spatial Analysis of COVID-19 Vaccination: A Scoping Review. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:12024. [PMID: 34831801 PMCID: PMC8624385 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph182212024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2021] [Revised: 11/09/2021] [Accepted: 11/10/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Spatial analysis of COVID-19 vaccination research is increasing in recent literature due to the availability of COVID-19 vaccination data that usually contain location components. However, to our knowledge, no previous study has provided a comprehensive review of this research area. Therefore, in this scoping review, we examined the breadth of spatial and spatiotemporal vaccination studies to summarize previous findings, highlight research gaps, and provide guidelines for future research. We performed this review according to the five-stage methodological framework developed by Arksey and O'Malley. We screened all articles published in PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, and Web of Science databases, as of 21 September 2021, that had employed at least one form of spatial analysis of COVID-19 vaccination. In total, 36 articles met the inclusion criteria and were organized into four main themes: disease surveillance (n = 35); risk analysis (n = 14); health access (n = 16); and community health profiling (n = 2). Our findings suggested that most studies utilized preliminary spatial analysis techniques, such as disease mapping, which might not lead to robust inferences. Moreover, few studies addressed data quality, modifiable areal unit problems, and spatial dependence, highlighting the need for more sophisticated spatial and spatiotemporal analysis techniques.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Abolfazl Mollalo
- Department of Public Health and Prevention Science, School of Health Sciences, Baldwin Wallace University, Berea, OH 44017, USA;
| | - Alireza Mohammadi
- Department of Geography and Urban Planning, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil 56199, Iran;
| | - Sara Mavaddati
- Faculty of Medicine & Surgery, Policlinic University Hospital of Bari Aldo Moro, 70124 Bari, Italy;
| | - Behzad Kiani
- Department of Medical Informatics, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad 91779, Iran
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Blasi F, Di Pasquale M, Gramegna A, Viale P, Iacobello C, Gori A, Tumbarello M, Esposito S, Richeldi L, Bassetti M. A new call for influenza and pneumococcal vaccinations during COVID-19 pandemic in Italy: A SIP/IRS (Italian Respiratory Society) and SITA (Italian Society of Antiinfective therapy) statement. Respir Med 2021; 190:106674. [PMID: 34788734 PMCID: PMC8559458 DOI: 10.1016/j.rmed.2021.106674] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2021] [Revised: 10/23/2021] [Accepted: 10/28/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Influenza and pneumococcal disease represent a well-known burden on healthcare systems worldwide, as well as they still have an attributed morbidity and mortality, especially in elderly individuals and vulnerable populations. In the context of the ongoing pandemic of COVID-19, a series of considerations in favor of extensive influenza and pneumococcal vaccination campaign are emerging, including a possible reduction of hospital extra burden and saving of sanitary resources. In addition, recent studies have suggested that prior vaccinations towards non SARS-CoV-2 pathogens might confer some protection against COVID-19. In this paper the authors consider all factors in support of these hypotheses and provide a consensus statement to encourage influenza and pneumococcal vaccinations in targeted populations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Blasi
- Internal Medicine Department, Respiratory Unit and Adult Cystic Fibrosis Center, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy; Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, Italy.
| | - Marta Di Pasquale
- Internal Medicine Department, Respiratory Unit and Adult Cystic Fibrosis Center, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Andrea Gramegna
- Internal Medicine Department, Respiratory Unit and Adult Cystic Fibrosis Center, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy; Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, Italy
| | - Pierluigi Viale
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Carmelo Iacobello
- UOC Malattie Infettive, Azienda Ospedaliera per L'Emergenza Cannizzaro-Catania, Italy
| | - Andrea Gori
- Infectious Disease Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy; Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, Milan, Italy; Centre for Multidisciplinary Research in Health Science, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Mario Tumbarello
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Susanna Esposito
- Pediatric Clinic, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Luca Richeldi
- Complex Operative Unit of Pneumology, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy
| | - Matteo Bassetti
- Department of Health Science, University of Genoa, Italy; Infectious Diseases Clinic, Policlinico San Martino Hospital - IRCCS, Genoa, Italy
| |
Collapse
|