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Geenen C, Thibaut J, Laenen L, Raymenants J, Cuypers L, Maes P, Dellicour S, André E. Unravelling the effect of New Year's Eve celebrations on SARS-CoV-2 transmission. Sci Rep 2023; 13:22195. [PMID: 38097713 PMCID: PMC10721646 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-49678-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Public holidays have been associated with SARS-CoV-2 incidence surges, although a firm link remains to be established. This association is sometimes attributed to events where transmissions occur at a disproportionately high rate, known as superspreading events. Here, we describe a sudden surge in new cases with the Omicron BA.1 strain amongst higher education students in Belgium. Contact tracers classed most of these cases as likely or possibly infected on New Year's Eve, indicating a direct trigger by New Year celebrations. Using a combination of contact tracing and phylogenetic data, we show the limited role of superspreading events in this surge. Finally, the numerous simultaneous transmissions allowed a unique opportunity to determine the distribution of incubation periods of the Omicron strain. Overall, our results indicate that, even under social restrictions, a surge in transmissibility of SARS-CoV-2 can occur when holiday celebrations result in small social gatherings attended simultaneously and communitywide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caspar Geenen
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Laboratory of Clinical Microbiology, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000, Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Jonathan Thibaut
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Laboratory of Clinical Microbiology, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Lies Laenen
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Laboratory of Clinical Microbiology, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, National Reference Centre for Respiratory Pathogens, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Joren Raymenants
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Laboratory of Clinical Microbiology, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Lize Cuypers
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Laboratory of Clinical Microbiology, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, National Reference Centre for Respiratory Pathogens, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Piet Maes
- Rega Institute, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Laboratory of Clinical and Epidemiological Virology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Simon Dellicour
- Rega Institute, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Laboratory of Clinical and Epidemiological Virology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Spatial Epidemiology Lab, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Emmanuel André
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Laboratory of Clinical Microbiology, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, National Reference Centre for Respiratory Pathogens, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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2
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Rudin C, Bollen N, Hong SL, Wegner F, Politi L, Mellou K, Geenen C, Gorissen S, Verhasselt B, Durkin K, Henin C, Logist AS, Dellicour S, Resa T, Stadler T, Maes P, Cuypers L, André E, Egli A, Baele G. Investigation of an international water polo tournament in Czechia as a potential source for early introduction of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant into Belgium, Switzerland and Germany, November 2021. Euro Surveill 2023; 28:2300018. [PMID: 37943503 PMCID: PMC10636743 DOI: 10.2807/1560-7917.es.2023.28.45.2300018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2022] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023] Open
Abstract
BackgroundThe earliest recognised infections by the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant (Pango lineage B.1.1.529) in Belgium and Switzerland suggested a connection to an international water polo tournament, held 12-14 November 2021 in Brno, Czechia.AimTo study the arrival and subsequent spread of the Omicron variant in Belgium and Switzerland, and understand the overall importance of this international sporting event on the number of infections in the two countries.MethodsWe performed intensive forward and backward contact tracing in both countries, supplemented by phylogenetic investigations using virus sequences of the suspected infection chain archived in public databases.ResultsThrough contact tracing, we identified two and one infected athletes of the Belgian and Swiss water polo teams, respectively, and subsequently also three athletes from Germany. In Belgium and Switzerland, four and three secondary infections, and three and one confirmed tertiary infections were identified. Phylogenetic investigation demonstrated that this sporting event played a role as the source of infection, but without a direct link with infections from South Africa and not as a superspreading event; the virus was found to already be circulating at that time in the countries involved.ConclusionThe SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant started to circulate in Europe several weeks before its identification in South Africa on 24 November 2021. Accordingly, it can be assumed that travel restrictions are usually implemented too late to prevent the spread of newly detected SARS-CoV-2 variants to other regions. Phylogenetic analysis may modify the perception of an apparently clear result of intensive contact tracing.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nena Bollen
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Samuel L Hong
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Fanny Wegner
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Applied Microbiology Research, Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Lida Politi
- Department of Microbial Resistance and Infections in Health Care Settings, Directorate of Surveillance and Prevention of Infectious Diseases, Hellenic National Public Health Organization (EODY), Athens, Greece
- European Programme for Intervention Epidemiology Training (EPIET), European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Kassiani Mellou
- Directorate of Epidemiological Surveillance and Intervention for Infectious Diseases, Hellenic National Public Health Organization (EODY), Athens, Greece
| | - Caspar Geenen
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Laboratory of Clinical Microbiology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Sarah Gorissen
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Laboratory of Clinical Microbiology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Bruno Verhasselt
- Department of Diagnostic Sciences, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Keith Durkin
- Laboratory of Human Genetics, GIGA Research Institute, Liège, Belgium
| | - Coralie Henin
- Federal testing platform COVID-19, Université libre de Bruxelles, Bruxelles, Belgium
| | - Anne-Sophie Logist
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Simon Dellicour
- Spatial Epidemiology Lab (SpELL), Université Libre de Bruxelles, Bruxelles, Belgium
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Tobias Resa
- Cantonal Office of Public Health Basel-Landschaft, Liestal, Switzerland
| | - Tanja Stadler
- SIB Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Piet Maes
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Lize Cuypers
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, National Reference Centre for Respiratory Pathogens, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Laboratory of Clinical Microbiology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Emmanuel André
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, National Reference Centre for Respiratory Pathogens, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Laboratory of Clinical Microbiology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Adrian Egli
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Swiss Pathogen Surveillance Platform (https://spsp.ch)
- Applied Microbiology Research, Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Clinical Bacteriology and Mycology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Guy Baele
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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Geenen C, Raymenants J, Gorissen S, Thibaut J, McVernon J, Lorent N, André E. Individual level analysis of digital proximity tracing for COVID-19 in Belgium highlights major bottlenecks. Nat Commun 2023; 14:6717. [PMID: 37872213 PMCID: PMC10593825 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-42518-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/25/2023] Open
Abstract
To complement labour-intensive conventional contact tracing, digital proximity tracing was implemented widely during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the privacy-centred design of the dominant Google-Apple exposure notification framework has hindered assessment of its effectiveness. Between October 2021 and January 2022, we systematically collected app use and notification receipt data within a test and trace programme targeting around 50,000 university students in Leuven, Belgium. Due to low success rates in each studied step of the digital notification cascade, only 4.3% of exposed contacts (CI: 2.8-6.1%) received such notifications, resulting in 10 times more cases detected through conventional contact tracing. Moreover, the infection risk of digitally traced contacts (5.0%; CI: 3.0-7.7%) was lower than that of conventionally traced non-app users (9.8%; CI: 8.8-10.7%; p = 0.002). Contrary to common perception as near instantaneous, there was a 1.2-day delay (CI: 0.6-2.2) between case PCR result and digital contact notification. These results highlight major limitations of a digital proximity tracing system based on the dominant framework.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caspar Geenen
- KU Leuven, Dept of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Laboratory of Clinical Microbiology, Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Joren Raymenants
- KU Leuven, Dept of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Laboratory of Clinical Microbiology, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Sarah Gorissen
- KU Leuven, Dept of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Laboratory of Clinical Microbiology, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jonathan Thibaut
- KU Leuven, Dept of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Laboratory of Clinical Microbiology, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jodie McVernon
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Victorian Infectious Diseases Laboratory Epidemiology Unit, Royal Melbourne Hospital at The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Natalie Lorent
- University Hospitals Leuven, Respiratory Diseases, Leuven, Belgium
- KU Leuven, Dept of CHROMETA, Laboratory of Thoracic Surgery and Respiratory Diseases (BREATHE), Leuven, Belgium
| | - Emmanuel André
- KU Leuven, Dept of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Laboratory of Clinical Microbiology, Leuven, Belgium
- University Hospitals Leuven, Laboratory Medicine, Leuven, Belgium
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4
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Raymenants J, Geenen C, Budts L, Thibaut J, Thijssen M, De Mulder H, Gorissen S, Craessaerts B, Laenen L, Beuselinck K, Ombelet S, Keyaerts E, André E. Indoor air surveillance and factors associated with respiratory pathogen detection in community settings in Belgium. Nat Commun 2023; 14:1332. [PMID: 36898982 PMCID: PMC10005919 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-36986-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Currently, the real-life impact of indoor climate, human behaviour, ventilation and air filtration on respiratory pathogen detection and concentration are poorly understood. This hinders the interpretability of bioaerosol quantification in indoor air to surveil respiratory pathogens and transmission risk. We tested 341 indoor air samples from 21 community settings in Belgium for 29 respiratory pathogens using qPCR. On average, 3.9 pathogens were positive per sample and 85.3% of samples tested positive for at least one. Pathogen detection and concentration varied significantly by pathogen, month, and age group in generalised linear (mixed) models and generalised estimating equations. High CO2 and low natural ventilation were independent risk factors for detection. The odds ratio for detection was 1.09 (95% CI 1.03-1.15) per 100 parts per million (ppm) increase in CO2, and 0.88 (95% CI 0.80-0.97) per stepwise increase in natural ventilation (on a Likert scale). CO2 concentration and portable air filtration were independently associated with pathogen concentration. Each 100ppm increase in CO2 was associated with a qPCR Ct value decrease of 0.08 (95% CI -0.12 to -0.04), and portable air filtration with a 0.58 (95% CI 0.25-0.91) increase. The effects of occupancy, sampling duration, mask wearing, vocalisation, temperature, humidity and mechanical ventilation were not significant. Our results support the importance of ventilation and air filtration to reduce transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joren Raymenants
- Laboratory of Clinical Microbiology, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000, Leuven, Belgium.
- Department of General Internal Medicine, University Hospitals Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000, Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Caspar Geenen
- Laboratory of Clinical Microbiology, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Lore Budts
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, National Reference Center of Respiratory Pathogens, University Hospitals Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jonathan Thibaut
- Laboratory of Clinical Microbiology, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Marijn Thijssen
- Laboratory of Clinical and Epidemiological Virology (Rega Institute), KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Hannelore De Mulder
- Laboratory of Clinical Microbiology, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Sarah Gorissen
- Laboratory of Clinical Microbiology, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Bastiaan Craessaerts
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, National Reference Center of Respiratory Pathogens, University Hospitals Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Lies Laenen
- Laboratory of Clinical Microbiology, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, National Reference Center of Respiratory Pathogens, University Hospitals Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Kurt Beuselinck
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, National Reference Center of Respiratory Pathogens, University Hospitals Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Sien Ombelet
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, National Reference Center of Respiratory Pathogens, University Hospitals Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Els Keyaerts
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, National Reference Center of Respiratory Pathogens, University Hospitals Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Emmanuel André
- Laboratory of Clinical Microbiology, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, National Reference Center of Respiratory Pathogens, University Hospitals Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
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5
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Vanbesien M, Molenberghs G, Geenen C, Thibaut J, Gorissen S, André E, Raymenants J. Risk factors for SARS-CoV-2 transmission in student residences: a case-ascertained study. Arch Public Health 2022; 80:212. [PMID: 36131328 PMCID: PMC9491668 DOI: 10.1186/s13690-022-00966-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2022] [Accepted: 09/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background We aimed to investigate the overall secondary attack rates (SAR) of COVID-19 in student residences and to identify risk factors for higher transmission. Methods We retrospectively analysed the SAR in living units of student residences which were screened in Leuven (Belgium) following the detection of a COVID-19 case. Students were followed up in the framework of a routine testing and tracing follow-up system. We considered residence outbreaks followed up between October 30th 2020 and May 25th 2021. We used generalized estimating equations (GEE) to evaluate the impact of delay to follow-up, shared kitchen or sanitary facilities, the presence of a known external infection source and the recent occurrence of a social gathering. We used a generalized linear mixed model (GLMM) for validation. Results We included 165 student residences, representing 200 residence units (N screened residents = 2324). Secondary transmission occurred in 68 units which corresponded to 176 secondary cases. The overall observed SAR was 8.2%. In the GEE model, shared sanitary facilities (p = 0.04) and the recent occurrence of a social gathering (p = 0.003) were associated with a significant increase in SAR in a living unit, which was estimated at 3% (95%CI 1.5-5.2) in the absence of any risk factor and 13% (95%CI 11.4-15.8) in the presence of both. The GLMM confirmed these findings. Conclusions Shared sanitary facilities and the occurrence of social gatherings increase the risk of COVID-19 transmission and should be considered when screening and implementing preventive measures. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13690-022-00966-4.
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Planas D, Saunders N, Maes P, Guivel-Benhassine F, Planchais C, Buchrieser J, Bolland WH, Porrot F, Staropoli I, Lemoine F, Péré H, Veyer D, Puech J, Rodary J, Baele G, Dellicour S, Raymenants J, Gorissen S, Geenen C, Vanmechelen B, Wawina-Bokalanga T, Martí-Carreras J, Cuypers L, Sève A, Hocqueloux L, Prazuck T, Rey FA, Simon-Loriere E, Bruel T, Mouquet H, André E, Schwartz O. Considerable escape of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron to antibody neutralization. Nature 2022; 602:671-675. [PMID: 35016199 DOI: 10.1101/2021.12.14.472630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2021] [Accepted: 12/23/2021] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
The SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant was first identified in November 2021 in Botswana and South Africa1-3. It has since spread to many countries and is expected to rapidly become dominant worldwide. The lineage is characterized by the presence of around 32 mutations in spike-located mostly in the N-terminal domain and the receptor-binding domain-that may enhance viral fitness and enable antibody evasion. Here we isolated an infectious Omicron virus in Belgium from a traveller returning from Egypt. We examined its sensitivity to nine monoclonal antibodies that have been clinically approved or are in development4, and to antibodies present in 115 serum samples from COVID-19 vaccine recipients or individuals who have recovered from COVID-19. Omicron was completely or partially resistant to neutralization by all monoclonal antibodies tested. Sera from recipients of the Pfizer or AstraZeneca vaccine, sampled five months after complete vaccination, barely inhibited Omicron. Sera from COVID-19-convalescent patients collected 6 or 12 months after symptoms displayed low or no neutralizing activity against Omicron. Administration of a booster Pfizer dose as well as vaccination of previously infected individuals generated an anti-Omicron neutralizing response, with titres 6-fold to 23-fold lower against Omicron compared with those against Delta. Thus, Omicron escapes most therapeutic monoclonal antibodies and, to a large extent, vaccine-elicited antibodies. However, Omicron is neutralized by antibodies generated by a booster vaccine dose.
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Affiliation(s)
- Delphine Planas
- Virus and Immunity Unit, Institut Pasteur, Université de Paris, CNRS UMR3569, Paris, France
- Vaccine Research Institute, Créteil, France
| | - Nell Saunders
- Virus and Immunity Unit, Institut Pasteur, Université de Paris, CNRS UMR3569, Paris, France
- École Doctorale BioSPC 562, Université de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Piet Maes
- Department of Microbiology, Laboratory of Clinical and Epidemiological Virology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | | | - Cyril Planchais
- Humoral Immunology Laboratory, Institut Pasteur, Université de Paris, INSERM U1222, Paris, France
| | - Julian Buchrieser
- Virus and Immunity Unit, Institut Pasteur, Université de Paris, CNRS UMR3569, Paris, France
| | - William-Henry Bolland
- Virus and Immunity Unit, Institut Pasteur, Université de Paris, CNRS UMR3569, Paris, France
- École Doctorale BioSPC 562, Université de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Françoise Porrot
- Virus and Immunity Unit, Institut Pasteur, Université de Paris, CNRS UMR3569, Paris, France
| | - Isabelle Staropoli
- Virus and Immunity Unit, Institut Pasteur, Université de Paris, CNRS UMR3569, Paris, France
| | - Frederic Lemoine
- Hub de Bioinformatique et Biostatistique, Institut Pasteur, Université de Paris, CNRS USR 3756, Paris, France
| | - Hélène Péré
- Laboratoire de Virologie, Service de Microbiologie, Hôpital Européen Georges Pompidou, Paris, France
- Functional Genomics of Solid Tumors (FunGeST), Centre de Recherche des Cordelier, INSERM, Université de Paris, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
| | - David Veyer
- Laboratoire de Virologie, Service de Microbiologie, Hôpital Européen Georges Pompidou, Paris, France
- Functional Genomics of Solid Tumors (FunGeST), Centre de Recherche des Cordelier, INSERM, Université de Paris, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
| | - Julien Puech
- Laboratoire de Virologie, Service de Microbiologie, Hôpital Européen Georges Pompidou, Paris, France
| | - Julien Rodary
- Laboratoire de Virologie, Service de Microbiologie, Hôpital Européen Georges Pompidou, Paris, France
| | - Guy Baele
- Department of Microbiology, Laboratory of Clinical and Epidemiological Virology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Simon Dellicour
- Department of Microbiology, Laboratory of Clinical and Epidemiological Virology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Spatial Epidemiology Lab (SpELL), Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Joren Raymenants
- Laboratory of Clinical Microbiology, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Sarah Gorissen
- Laboratory of Clinical Microbiology, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Caspar Geenen
- Laboratory of Clinical Microbiology, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Bert Vanmechelen
- Department of Microbiology, Laboratory of Clinical and Epidemiological Virology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Tony Wawina-Bokalanga
- Department of Microbiology, Laboratory of Clinical and Epidemiological Virology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Joan Martí-Carreras
- Department of Microbiology, Laboratory of Clinical and Epidemiological Virology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Lize Cuypers
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, National Reference Centre for Respiratory Pathogens, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Aymeric Sève
- Service de Maladies Infectieuses, CHR d'Orléans, Orléans, France
| | | | - Thierry Prazuck
- Service de Maladies Infectieuses, CHR d'Orléans, Orléans, France
| | - Félix A Rey
- Structural Virology Unit, Institut Pasteur, Université de Paris, CNRS UMR3569, Paris, France
| | - Etienne Simon-Loriere
- G5 Evolutionary Genomics of RNA Viruses, Institut Pasteur, Université de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Timothée Bruel
- Virus and Immunity Unit, Institut Pasteur, Université de Paris, CNRS UMR3569, Paris, France.
- Vaccine Research Institute, Créteil, France.
| | - Hugo Mouquet
- Humoral Immunology Laboratory, Institut Pasteur, Université de Paris, INSERM U1222, Paris, France.
| | - Emmanuel André
- Laboratory of Clinical Microbiology, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, National Reference Centre for Respiratory Pathogens, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Olivier Schwartz
- Virus and Immunity Unit, Institut Pasteur, Université de Paris, CNRS UMR3569, Paris, France.
- Vaccine Research Institute, Créteil, France.
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7
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Planas D, Saunders N, Maes P, Guivel-Benhassine F, Planchais C, Buchrieser J, Bolland WH, Porrot F, Staropoli I, Lemoine F, Péré H, Veyer D, Puech J, Rodary J, Baele G, Dellicour S, Raymenants J, Gorissen S, Geenen C, Vanmechelen B, Wawina-Bokalanga T, Martí-Carreras J, Cuypers L, Sève A, Hocqueloux L, Prazuck T, Rey F, Simon-Loriere E, Bruel T, Mouquet H, André E, Schwartz O. Considerable escape of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron to antibody neutralization. Nature 2021; 602:671-675. [PMID: 35016199 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-021-04389-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 913] [Impact Index Per Article: 304.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2021] [Accepted: 12/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
The SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant was first identified in November 2021 in Botswana and South Africa1-3. It has since then spread to many countries and is expected to rapidly become dominant worldwide. The lineage is characterized by the presence of about 32 mutations in the spike, located mostly in the N-terminal domain (NTD) and the receptor binding domain (RBD), which may enhance viral fitness and allow antibody evasion. Here, we isolated an infectious Omicron virus in Belgium, from a traveller returning from Egypt. We examined its sensitivity to 9 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) clinically approved or in development4, and to antibodies present in 115 sera from COVID-19 vaccine recipients or convalescent individuals. Omicron was totally or partially resistant to neutralization by all mAbs tested. Sera from Pfizer or AstraZeneca vaccine recipients, sampled 5 months after complete vaccination, barely inhibited Omicron. Sera from COVID-19 convalescent patients collected 6 or 12 months post symptoms displayed low or no neutralizing activity against Omicron. Administration of a booster Pfizer dose as well as vaccination of previously infected individuals generated an anti-Omicron neutralizing response, with titers 6 to 23 fold lower against Omicron than against Delta. Thus, Omicron escapes most therapeutic monoclonal antibodies and to a large extent vaccine-elicited antibodies. Omicron remains however neutralized by antibodies generated by a booster vaccine dose.
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Affiliation(s)
- Delphine Planas
- Institut Pasteur, Université de Paris, CNRS UMR3569, Virus and Immunity Unit, 75015, Paris, France.,Vaccine Research Institute, 94000, Créteil, France
| | - Nell Saunders
- Institut Pasteur, Université de Paris, CNRS UMR3569, Virus and Immunity Unit, 75015, Paris, France.,Université de Paris, École doctorale BioSPC 562, 75013, Paris, France
| | - Piet Maes
- KU Leuven, Rega Institute, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Laboratory of Clinical and Epidemiological Virology, Leuven, Belgium
| | | | - Cyril Planchais
- Institut Pasteur, Université de Paris, INSERM U1222, Humoral Immunology Laboratory, 75015, Paris, France
| | - Julian Buchrieser
- Institut Pasteur, Université de Paris, CNRS UMR3569, Virus and Immunity Unit, 75015, Paris, France
| | - William-Henry Bolland
- Institut Pasteur, Université de Paris, CNRS UMR3569, Virus and Immunity Unit, 75015, Paris, France.,Université de Paris, École doctorale BioSPC 562, 75013, Paris, France
| | - Françoise Porrot
- Institut Pasteur, Université de Paris, CNRS UMR3569, Virus and Immunity Unit, 75015, Paris, France
| | - Isabelle Staropoli
- Institut Pasteur, Université de Paris, CNRS UMR3569, Virus and Immunity Unit, 75015, Paris, France
| | - Frederic Lemoine
- Institut Pasteur, Université de Paris, CNRS USR 3756, Hub de Bioinformatique et Biostatistique, 75015, Paris, France
| | - Hélène Péré
- Hôpital Européen Georges Pompidou, Laboratoire de Virologie, Service de Microbiologie, 75015, Paris, France.,Centre de Recherche des Cordelier, INSERM, Université de Paris, Sorbonne Université, Functional Genomics of Solid Tumors (FunGeST), 75006, Paris, France
| | - David Veyer
- Hôpital Européen Georges Pompidou, Laboratoire de Virologie, Service de Microbiologie, 75015, Paris, France.,Centre de Recherche des Cordelier, INSERM, Université de Paris, Sorbonne Université, Functional Genomics of Solid Tumors (FunGeST), 75006, Paris, France
| | - Julien Puech
- Hôpital Européen Georges Pompidou, Laboratoire de Virologie, Service de Microbiologie, 75015, Paris, France
| | - Julien Rodary
- Hôpital Européen Georges Pompidou, Laboratoire de Virologie, Service de Microbiologie, 75015, Paris, France
| | - Guy Baele
- KU Leuven, Rega Institute, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Laboratory of Clinical and Epidemiological Virology, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Simon Dellicour
- KU Leuven, Rega Institute, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Laboratory of Clinical and Epidemiological Virology, Leuven, Belgium.,Université Libre de Bruxelles, Spatial Epidemiology Lab (SpELL), Bruxelles, Belgium
| | - Joren Raymenants
- KU Leuven, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Laboratory Clinical Microbiology, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Sarah Gorissen
- KU Leuven, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Laboratory Clinical Microbiology, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Caspar Geenen
- KU Leuven, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Laboratory Clinical Microbiology, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Bert Vanmechelen
- KU Leuven, Rega Institute, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Laboratory of Clinical and Epidemiological Virology, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Tony Wawina-Bokalanga
- KU Leuven, Rega Institute, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Laboratory of Clinical and Epidemiological Virology, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Joan Martí-Carreras
- KU Leuven, Rega Institute, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Laboratory of Clinical and Epidemiological Virology, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Lize Cuypers
- University Hospitals Leuven, Department of Laboratory Medicine, National Reference Centre for Respiratory Pathogens, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Aymeric Sève
- CHR d'Orléans, service de maladies infectieuses, Orléans, France
| | | | - Thierry Prazuck
- CHR d'Orléans, service de maladies infectieuses, Orléans, France
| | - Félix Rey
- Institut Pasteur, Université de Paris, CNRS UMR3569, Structural Virology Unit, 75015, Paris, France
| | - Etienne Simon-Loriere
- Institut Pasteur, Université de Paris, CNRS UMR3569, G5 Evolutionary genomics of RNA viruses, 75015, Paris, France
| | - Timothée Bruel
- Institut Pasteur, Université de Paris, CNRS UMR3569, Virus and Immunity Unit, 75015, Paris, France. .,Vaccine Research Institute, 94000, Créteil, France.
| | - Hugo Mouquet
- Institut Pasteur, Université de Paris, INSERM U1222, Humoral Immunology Laboratory, 75015, Paris, France.
| | - Emmanuel André
- KU Leuven, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Laboratory Clinical Microbiology, Leuven, Belgium. .,University Hospitals Leuven, Department of Laboratory Medicine, National Reference Centre for Respiratory Pathogens, Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Olivier Schwartz
- Institut Pasteur, Université de Paris, CNRS UMR3569, Virus and Immunity Unit, 75015, Paris, France. .,Vaccine Research Institute, 94000, Créteil, France.
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Chen Y, Nasrulloh AV, Wilson I, Geenen C, Habib M, Obara B, Steel DHW. Macular hole morphology and measurement using an automated three-dimensional image segmentation algorithm. BMJ Open Ophthalmol 2020; 5:e000404. [PMID: 32844119 PMCID: PMC7430427 DOI: 10.1136/bmjophth-2019-000404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2019] [Revised: 01/21/2020] [Accepted: 02/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective Full-thickness macular holes (MH) are classified principally by size, which is one of the strongest predictors of anatomical and visual success. Using a three-dimensional (3D) automated image processing algorithm, we analysed optical coherence tomography (OCT) images of 104 MH of patients, comparing MH dimensions and morphology with clinician-acquired two-dimensional measurements. Methods and Analysis All patients underwent a high-density central horizontal scanning OCT protocol. Two independent clinicians measured the minimum linear diameter (MLD) and maximum base diameter. OCT images were also analysed using an automated 3D segmentation algorithm which produced key parameters including the respective maximum and minimum diameter of the minimum area (MA) of the MH, as well as volume and surface area. Results Using the algorithm-derived values, MH were found to have significant asymmetry in all dimensions. The minima of the MA were typically approximately 90° to the horizontal, and differed from their maxima by 55 μm. The minima of the MA differed from the human-measured MLD by a mean of nearly 50 μm, with significant interobserver variability. The resultant differences led to reclassification using the International Vitreomacular Traction Study Group classification in a quarter of the patients (p=0.07). Conclusion MH are complex shapes with significant asymmetry in all dimensions. We have shown how 3D automated analysis of MH describes their dimensions more accurately and repeatably than human assessment. This could be used in future studies investigating hole progression and outcome to help guide optimum treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunzi Chen
- Sunderland Eye Infirmary, Sunderland, UK
| | - Amar V Nasrulloh
- Department of Computer Science, Durham University, Durham, Durham, UK
| | - Ian Wilson
- Bioscience Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | | | | | - Boguslaw Obara
- Department of Computer Science, Durham University, Durham, Durham, UK
| | - David H W Steel
- Sunderland Eye Infirmary, Sunderland, UK.,Bioscience Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
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Nasrulloh AV, Willcocks CG, Jackson PTG, Geenen C, Habib MS, Steel DHW, Obara B. Multi-Scale Segmentation and Surface Fitting for Measuring 3-D Macular Holes. IEEE Trans Med Imaging 2018; 37:580-589. [PMID: 29408786 DOI: 10.1109/tmi.2017.2767908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Macular holes are blinding conditions, where a hole develops in the central part of retina, resulting in reduced central vision. The prognosis and treatment options are related to a number of variables, including the macular hole size and shape. High-resolution spectral domain optical coherence tomography allows precise imaging of the macular hole geometry in three dimensions, but the measurement of these by human observers is time-consuming and prone to high inter- and intra-observer variability, being characteristically measured in 2-D rather than 3-D. We introduce several novel techniques to automatically retrieve accurate 3-D measurements of the macular hole, including: surface area, base area, base diameter, top area, top diameter, height, and minimum diameter. Specifically, we introduce a multi-scale 3-D level set segmentation approach based on a state-of-the-art level set method, and we introduce novel curvature-based cutting and 3-D measurement procedures. The algorithm is fully automatic, and we validate our extracted measurements both qualitatively and quantitatively, where our results show the method to be robust across a variety of scenarios. Our automated processes are considered a significant contribution for clinical applications.
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Sandinha MT, Kotagiri AK, Owen RI, Geenen C, Steel DH. Accuracy of B-scan ultrasonography in acute fundus obscuring vitreous hemorrhage using a standardized scanning protocol and a dedicated ophthalmic ultrasonographer. Clin Ophthalmol 2017; 11:1365-1370. [PMID: 28794614 PMCID: PMC5538682 DOI: 10.2147/opth.s133938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose To assess the accuracy of B-scan ultrasound (U/S) in diagnosing cases of acute fundus obscuring vitreous hemorrhage (FOVH) using a standardized scan protocol and dedicated ophthalmic ultrasonographer. Methods Consecutive patients presenting with acute FOVH of unknown cause, between January 2013 and December 2014, were prospectively recruited. Patients underwent a scan performed by a dedicated ultrasonographer, utilizing a systematic scan sequence and using an ocular specific U/S device. The U/S findings were compared to the findings during vitrectomy or after spontaneous hemorrhage clearance. Results Fifty-eight eyes (58 patients) were included. An underlying rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) and retinal tears without RRD were reported in nine and 14 patients, respectively. Nineteen of these patients underwent vitrectomy, and the other four underwent laser retinopexy or cryopexy alone. An additional six patients with suspected but uncertain retinal tears underwent vitrectomy, during which tears were confirmed in three, two had retinal vessel avulsions, and one had retinal new vessels. There was “complete” agreement between the B-scan findings and clinical findings in 78% of patients, “partial” agreement in 19%, and agreement was not tested in 3%. When the agreement was “partial”, the disagreements did not affect patient management. The sensitivity was 100% for the detection of RRD, and for the detection of new retinal tears in patients without retinal detachment. Conclusion B-scan U/S scan was highly sensitive in identifying the pathology in acute FOVH. Our results show an improvement from previously reported results, likely related to the standardized scan protocol and dedicated ophthalmic ultrasonographer.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - David Hw Steel
- Sunderland Eye Infirmary, Sunderland.,Institute of Genetic Medicine, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
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Abstract
BACKGROUND There is currently no consensus on the best way to localize muscles in the forearm for botulinum toxin (BTX) injection. We devised a study to compare electromyography (EMG) with local stimulation through a cannula for localizing forearm muscles for botulinum toxin (BTX) injection, and for predicting the risk of unwanted weakness in non-target muscles. METHODS In 12 patients with focal hand dystonia a single "target" muscle, determined by clinical examination to contribute most to the dystonic hand posture, was selected for botulinum toxin injection. The patients were randomized into 2 treatment groups, one in which the target muscle was localized by recording the EMG signals during voluntary contractions (8 patients) and the other in which the target muscle was localized by local electrical stimulation (4 patients). The target muscle was then injected with a standardized dose of BTX. RESULTS At follow-up 3 weeks after BTX injection the target muscle was weakened in 7/12 patients (4/8 of the EMG group, and 3/4 of the stimulation group). Additional noninjected muscles, adjacent to the target muscle, were weakened in 5 of these 7 patients, presumably from diffusion of the toxin. CONCLUSIONS Localization by stimulation is probably at least as good as EMG. Each technique has certain advantages. Weakness of "non-target" muscles was not consistently predicted by either EMG or stimulation suggesting that BTX diffuses farther than the volume conduction of EMG signals or the spread of effective stimulus current.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Geenen
- Division of Neurology, Toronto Hospital, Ontario, Canada
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Increased intracranial pressure with encephalopathy has rarely been reported in Addison's disease. METHOD Case Study. RESULTS A 16-year-old female who presented with cerebral edema of unknown etiology was eventually diagnosed as having Addison's disease. She had early morning headaches, fatiguability, diarrhea and deterioration in school performance. She was hyponatremic with a serum sodium of 128 mmol/L and hyperkalemic with a serum potassium of 5.9 mmol/L. She had a low serum osmolality (264 mosm), high urine osmolality (533 mosm) and high urine sodium (87 mosm). She had a postural drop in blood pressure and diffuse hyperpigmentation. An ACTH stimulation test revealed a low baseline cortisol and no response to ACTH. Plasma renin activity was increased. Serum ACTH was elevated. She responded well to intravenous fluids and solu-cortef and was discharged on hydrocortisone and florinef. She remains well 18 months after the acute episode with no neurologic complaints or findings. CONCLUSION Addison's Disease should be considered in the differential diagnosis of symptomatic cerebral edema and idiopathic intracranial hypertension.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Geenen
- Division of Neurology, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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