Self-reported vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 and adverse events in multiple cohorts

 

In two studies (“App-based infection assessment in RESIST (iAR)” and “Digital infection monitoring in persons living with immunodeficiency (DIMI)” ), we monitor health related items, as vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 and conduct syndromic surveillance of acute respiratory infections in high-risk populations, i.e. elderly persons and persons living with HIV, respectively. In a third very similar study (“Sensors for measuring aerosols and reactive gases to deduce health effects (SMARAGD)”) mainly healthy adults participate. To record incident or recurring transient health events, risk factors and further health data in real-time, we developed the eResearch system “PIA - Prospective Monitoring and Management App”. Recruitment for RESIST, SMARAGD and DIMI started in March 2021 and is ongoing. The questionnaire was presented in April 2022. Preliminary results include 86 participants from the three cohorts. In total, one indicated to be not vaccinated, none were vaccinated once, three (3.5%) twice, 63 (73.3%) three times and 19 (22.1%) four times. Participants reported the following adverse events after immunization (AEFI): after 40 applied doses with Vaxzevria® 24 AEFI (60%); after 158 doses of Comirnaty® 41 AEFI (26%); after 62 doses of Spikevax® 19 AEFI (30.7%); and after three doses of Janssen®, one AEFI (33.3%). In these cohorts, 20 (23.36%) participants stated having had a SARS-CoV-2 infection, of these 16 (80%) after the last vaccination dose, three (15%) before the first dose and one (5%) in between doses. Most participants were vaccinated three times, with Comirnaty being the most applied vaccine, as in officially reported numbers. AEFI varied according to vaccine and were higher than in the German surveillance system (1.64/1000 doses). Most infections were indicated to have been diagnosed after the booster vaccination. The results are limited by the small sample size and possible bias through self-reporting and social desirability regarding vaccination status.

Key messages

• Overall, most participants were vaccinated with Comirnaty and had three doses of vaccine. Of the participants with a diagnosed SARS-CoV-2-infection, most got infected after the booster vaccine.

• The number of reported AEFI was higher than in the official surveillance in Germany.

[Instrumented gait and movement analysis of musculoskeletal diseases]

Instrumented 3-dimensional gait analysis is increasingly being used for the evaluation of movement disorders in orthopedic and neurological musculoskeletal diseases. Due to the high reliability of the measurements the procedures are appropriate for diagnostic purposes as well as for outcome assessment after conservative or surgical interventions. Contrary to conventional clinical assessments gait analysis parameters are able to demonstrate a normal physiological gait pattern that can be achieved with improved kinematic and kinetic parameters. For a suitable application in clinically relevant problems the limitations of the procedures should be taken into account. Due to the high instrumental involvement combined with time and cost expenditure instrumented gait analysis will probably not develop to a clinical routine procedure. Nevertheless, an excellent set of information for answering clinical questions is provided. The present contribution presents selected measurement procedures and technologies and illustrates the wide variety of possibilities with the use of selected clinical examples.

The impact of the medical emergency team on the resuscitation practice of critical care nurses

BACKGROUND

Medical Emergency Teams (MET)/rapid response are replacing Cardiac Arrest teams in acute hospitals. There is a lack of knowledge about how Critical Care Nurses (CCNs), rostered on MET construct their responsibilities/roles.

OBJECTIVE

Assess MET nurse activities at different hospitals.

METHODS

The authors used visual ethnography; selecting Systemic Functional Grammar as our methodological framework. The Generic Systemic Potential was used to guide the coding of visual and inferential meaning of the activities of MET nurses. CCNs coded over 6 of videoed MET calls, sampled across three hospitals, Sydney, Australia.

RESULTS

The first layer of coding contained 1042 discreet tasks. They were sorted into 15 Areas of Practice (AOPs) and then allocated to aspects of performance (psychomotor and cognitive). The AOPs 'Assisting with Procedure' through to 'Monitoring Vital Signs' reflect psychomotor skills which account for almost half (48%) of the AOPs at site 1 and three-quarters at sites 2 (70%) and 3 (78%). Eight generic responsibilities/roles were identified. 'Ongoing Assessment,' 'Re-evaluating Risk' and 'Prioritising Interventions' were the most prominent. The patterns differed by hospital: 'Re-evaluating Risk' was prominent for sites 1 and 2 but less so for site 3.

CONCLUSION

'Ongoing Assessment' and 'Re-evaluating Risk' occupied almost half of the MET nurses time, whereas 'Establishing Patient Acuity, the key activity in CA teams, occupied only 4%. These findings provide evidence of the roles of CCNs in the MET and suggest that education and training of MET nurses should support these roles.

The effect of chronic alcohol consumption on mitochondrial DNA mutagenesis in human blood

The 4977bp deletion of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is known to accumulate with increasing age in post mitotic tissues. Recently, studies came out detecting this specific alteration also in fast replicating cells, e.g. in blood or skin tissue, often in correlation to specific diseases or -- specifically in skin -- external stressors such as UV radiation. In this study, we investigated mitochondrial mutagenesis in 69 patients with a chronic alcoholic disease and 46 age matched controls with a moderate drinking behavior. Two different fragments, specific for total and for deleted mtDNA (dmtDNA) were amplified in a duplex-PCR. A subsequent fragment analysis was performed and for relative quantification, the quotient of the peak areas of amplification products specific for deleted and total mtDNA was determined. Additionally, a real time PCR was performed to quantify mtDNA copy number. The relative amount of 4977bp deleted mtDNA in alcoholics was significantly increased compared to controls. On the other hand, no difference regarding the mtDNA/nuclear DNA ratio in both investigated groups was detected. Additionally, no age dependence could be found nor in alcoholics, neither in the control group. These findings indicate that mtDNA mutagenesis in blood can be influenced by stressors such as alcohol. Ethanol seems to be a significant factor to alter mitochondrial DNA in blood and might be an additional contributor for the cellular aging process.

Mother–child exclusion due to paternal uniparental disomy 6

In a mother-child pair, false exclusions in markers on chromosome 6 have been observed. The genetic incompatibilities have been caused by paternal uniparental disomy. The consequences of such cases for investigations of parentage are discussed.

Canine haematopoietic chimerism analyses by semiquantitative fluorescence detection of variable number of tandem repeat polymorphism

Canine models are successfully applied to the study of haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Monitoring of haematopoietic donor/recipient chimerism is of major significance in detecting and quantifying engraftment or graft rejection of the donor-derived haematopoietic cells after transplantation. Radioactive analyses of polymorphic microsatellite markers are commonly used for chimerism analyses. We describe an improved, non-isotopic method that is based on the analysis of microsatellite markers in donor and recipient cells using capillary electrophoresis and fluorescence detection. Artificial mixtures of donor and recipient DNA that were generated from peripheral blood mononuclear cells from dog leukocyte antigen-identical siblings were used to analyse the sensitivity of the assay. DNA from dogs that had received HSCT were also analysed in order to demonstrate the feasibility of the method in vivo. For chimerism analyses, six different microsatellite loci were systematically amplified using fluorescent PCR primer. The fluorescent polymerase chain reaction products were separated by capillary electrophoresis using POP4 on a 310 ABI Prism Genetic Analyzer. After electrophoresis, fluorescence signals were automatically sized and quantified using GeneScan software. The method described provides an accurate assessment of haematopoietic chimerism in the canine model with significantly reduced hands-on time compared to conventional gel electrophoresis.

ACTBP2 (alias ACTBP8) is localized on chromosome 6 (band 6q14)

The locus ACTBP2 (SE33) is localized on chromosome 6 (band 6q14). This has been demonstrated by typing a large Caucasoid three-generation kindred of Austrian origin for SE33 and several chromosome 6 markers.

Sudden cardiac death in a 5-year-old girl associated with parvovirus B19 infection

We report on a 5-year-old girl who suddenly collapsed and died while dancing at a family party. Histological examination of the heart including the cardiac conduction system revealed lymphocytic infiltrations of the sinu-atrial node and perivascular infiltration in the atrio-ventricular region. Additionally, foci of mononuclear infiltrates were observed in the myocardium. Consequently, myocarditis was diagnosed as cause of death. The child also had lymphocytic conjunctivis, parotitis and tracheitis. Evaluation of infections by means of nested polymerase chain reaction revealed parvovirus B19 DNA (PVB19) in tissue samples of the trachea.

MR arthrography: pharmacology, efficacy and safety in clinical trials

OBJECTIVE

A meta-analysis was carried out of clinical trials published between 1987 and 2001 in respect of the clinical pharmacology and safety as well as the diagnostic efficacy of gadolinium-DTPA (Gd-DTPA) for direct intra-articular injection before MRI examination.

DESIGN

Scientific papers (clinical, postmortem and experimental studies) and information from the manufacturer regarding intra-articular injection of Gd-DTPA that addressed questions of mode of action, optimal concentration and dose, elimination and safety were reviewed. Clinical studies were classified according to their study design. The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of MR arthrography (MRA) were compared with a "gold standard" (arthroscopy, arthrotomy) and other radiological evidence for different joints.

RESULTS

Fifty-two clinical studies of the overall 112 studies addressed aspects of diagnostic efficacy of MRA in patients or in healthy volunteers. The shoulder was the most assessed joint (29 of 52 studies). Good (>80%) or even excellent (90-100%) sensitivity, specificity and accuracy were found for MRA in most indications, especially for the shoulder and knee joints and induced extension of rotator cuff lesions, labrum abnormalities and postoperative meniscal tears. Two millimoles per liter has proven to be the best concentration for intra-articular administration of Gd-DTPA. After passive complete diffusion from the joint within 6-24 h, complete and rapid renal elimination takes place after intra-articular injection. Local safety proved to be excellent after intra-articular administration of Gd-DTPA. Regarding systemic tolerance almost no side effects have been reported, but the same safety considerations apply for intra-articular administration of Gd-DTPA as for intravenous injection.

CONCLUSIONS

The diagnostic efficacy of intra-articular MRA in most clinical conditions affecting major joints is greater than that of plain MRI. In some diagnostic problems MRA achieves almost the same sensitivity and specificity as the surgical gold standard. Given a sterile application, the intra-articular administration of Gd-DTPA in a concentration of 2 mmol/l prior to MRI is a safe procedure.

[Unnatural causes of death--what the pathologist must know]

The lecture explains the current legal position in Germany and is intended to help pathologists make decisions. I. The term "unnatural death" is a technical term within the meaning of section 159 German Code of Criminal Procedure. Even "indications"--again a legal term--constitute a statutory duty to make an immediate report. If such causes for suspicion arise at autopsy, the pathologist is confronted with an ethical and legal dilemma. With his report he can trigger a chain of events that is no longer under his control, and may extend well beyond the original request for a medical diagnosis. II. Starting with the relevant definitions for the subject, the lecturer focuses on the special case of unexpected death in connection with medical intervention. Where does the pathologist's responsibility end? Which information channels must be observed? The pathologist's rights, duties and degree of discretion are discussed. III. Finally, the lecturer addresses the "matter of the body" which must be examined by the responsible state prosecutor as a consequence of the pathologist's report.

Influence of cyanoacrylate on the efficiency of forensic PCRs

Cyanoacrylate ester (CA) is commonly used by criminalists to detect latent fingerprints on smooth surfaces. We investigated whether this treatment has an influence on a subsequent DNA typing of biological stains, and on the efficiency of three different forensic PCRs (mtDNA, Y-STR determination and the Profiler Plus kit). Using fluorescence labeled primers and an automated detection system, we could show that the presence of CA led to weaker PCR products. Depending on the DNA extraction method the amplification results were significantly weaker compared to untreated controls. To simulate forensic cases we prepared blood and saliva stains on glass slides, extracted the DNA using two different methods and compared the signal intensities of the amplified DNA fragments. Depending on the extraction methods, the presence of CA significantly hampered the amplification of DNA from small stains whereas there was virtually no difference comparing the amplification results of DNA extracted from bigger stains.

Analysis of volatiles induced by oviposition of elm leaf beetle Xanthogaleruca luteola on Ulmus minor

Egg deposition of the elm leaf beetle Xanthogaleruca luteola causes the emission of volatiles from its food plant, Ulmus minor. These volatiles are exploited by the egg parasitoid, Oomyzus gallerucae, to locate its host. In contrast to other tritrophic systems, the release of volatiles is not induced by feeding but by egg deposition. Previous investigations showed that the release is systemic and can be triggered by jasmonic acid. Comparison of headspace analysis revealed similarities in the blend of volatiles emitted following egg deposition and feeding. The mixture consists of more than 40 compounds; most of the substances are terpenoids. Leaves next to those carrying eggs emit fewer compounds. When treated with jasmonic acid, leaves emit a blend that consists almost exclusively of terpenoids. Dichloromethane extracts of leaves treated with jasmonic acid were also investigated. After separation of extracts of jasmonate induced elm leaves on silica, we obtained a fraction of terpenoid hydrocarbons that was attractive to the parasitoids. This indicates that jasmonic acid stimulates the production of terpenoid hydrocarbons that convey information of egg deposition to the parasitoid.

A double-blind, prospective, randomized, multicenter group comparison study of iopromide 240 vs iohexol 240 in myelography

The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of iopromide 240 mgI/ml in comparison with iohexol 240 mgI/ml in myelography. A total of 421 patients in seven centers and four countries received an average of 11.9 ml of either iopromide 240 (278 patients) or iohexol 240 (143 patients) for X-ray and/or CT myelography in a randomized (2:1), prospective, double-blind study. All patients were followed up 3-4 h after the procedure, and 327 patients remained hospitalized for 24 h. In 82 patients an EEG was recorded prior to as well as 3-4 h and 24 h after myelography. Physical examinations, including measurement of vital signs, were performed in all patients at these time points. The results were subject to statistical analysis with the primary variable being the incidence of adverse events. Both contrast media (CM) were equally effective in terms of opacification. The rating for opacity was "good" or "excellent" in 88 % for both CM. Four patients (iopromide group: n = 3; iohexol group: n = 1) had transient EEG changes but did not show clinical symptomatology. The overall rate of patients experiencing any adverse event (AE) was 16.9 % for iopromide 240 and 14.0 % for iohexol 240. Equivalence testing was inconclusive; however, the results indicated equivalence. The rate for AEs considered as study-drug related was slightly lower with iopromide 240 than with iohexol 240 (7.2 vs 7.7 %, respectively). Neither unknown nor unexpected AEs known for myelographic X-ray CM nor serious adverse events were observed. Iopromide 240 and iohexol 240 are equally safe and effective and can be recommended for myelography.

Pharmacokinetics and tolerability of iopromide 240 after lumbar myelography

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the pharmacokinetics and tolerability of iopromide 240 mg iodine/mL after intrathecal administration.

METHODS

Eleven patients with an indication for lumbar myelography received 10 mL iopromide 240 in an open, prospective, single-center study. All patients were followed 72 hours after the procedure and remained in the hospital. Urine was sampled from before the myelography up to 72 hours after the procedure in stages (range, 0-6, 6-12, 12-24, 24-48, and 48-72 hours). Iodine plasma levels were determined before and 30 minutes, 1 hour, 2 hours, 4 hours, 6 hours, 9 hours, 12 hours, and 24 hours after the administration of iopromide 240. Vital signs were measured at baseline, before, and 1 and 24 hours after the procedure. Physical and neurologic examinations were performed in all patients at baseline and at the end of the study period; all adverse events were recorded. The results were subject to pharmacokinetic analysis using compartment model-independent and -dependent methods.

RESULTS

Ten of 11 patients had measurable iodine plasma levels. After a lag time of approximately 0.6 hours (mean value), maximum iodine concentrations of 45% of the administered dose per total plasma volume were observed after 3.8 hours. Plasma half-lives ranged from 3.0 to 60.5 hours (model-independent methods) with a mean of 14.9 hours and a standard deviation of 17.0 hours. Using curve fitting with an open one-compartment model revealed good agreement with the model-independent methods (half-life 17.3 hours). The recovery of iodine in urine in the 72-hour period was 78%+/-15% (range, 53%-94%) as a result of an undeterminable loss of urine in some patients and prolonged half-lives in two patients. Only one patient had adverse events 24 hours after myelography.

CONCLUSIONS

After lumbar myelography, iopromide 240 is almost completely excreted renally within 72 hours, with a prolonged half-life as a result of the route of administration. The kinetics of iopromide 240 after intrathecal administration are characterized by a prolonged half-life. The safety of the contrast medium was confirmed.

Myocardial injury due to lightning

The report deals with a 27-year-old male who was standing in a tent and was injured by lightning as it struck a tree about 1.5 m away. He immediately lost consciousness and exhibited ventricular fibrillation when the emergency physician arrived. A clinical picture of hypoxaemic brain damage emerged after initially successful resuscitation. Brain death was diagnosed on the fifth day after injury. The discrete external findings (remaining arborescent skin marks) contrasted markedly with the severe thermal damage to the pectoral muscle and cardiac musculature found during the autopsy. The histological cardiac findings indicated severe acute myocardial infarction affecting virtually all parts of the myocardium.

Fibromuscular dysplasia of coronary arteries as a rare cause of death

A case of fibromuscular dysplasia of the coronary arteries in a 15-year-old boy is reported. After a quarrel involving no violence the boy suddenly suffered from ventricular fibrillation, collapsed and was initially successfully defibrillated. After 37 days of deep unconsciousness the boy died of bronchopneumonia. The cause of the ventricular fibrillation was clarified only after histological investigations. Fibromuscular dysplasia of the coronary arteries with narrowing was found, which has very occasionally been described in the literature. However, its localization in the A-V node artery, as described here, only seems to have been observed once.

[Acute cocaine intoxication with fatal outcome]

The clinical course and some toxicologic-analytical aspects of an acute intoxication with cocaine are presented. Diagnosis was made by the induced toxicologic emergency investigation since neither symptoms nor clinical test results or anamnestic data showed relevant diagnostic information. Based on the results of the analytic investigation, we concluded it was a suicide based on long-term abuse of cocaine. Because of the unusually high concentrations of cocaine und cocaine metabolites in the body of liquids and tissues, it seemed probable that the patient was intoxicated with a lethal dose of at least 1 g cocaine. This case report underlines the importance of clinical and toxicological investigations in the diagnostic procedure of unclear comata and the importance of forensic toxicological analysis in clarifying anamnestic questions.

[Diagnosis of chronic alcohol abuse in intoxicated drivers: carbohydrate-deficient transferrin (CDT) in combination with other parameters]

In 109 drunken male drivers from the area of Rostock the marker of alcohol abuse CDT was superior to the established laboratory parametres gammaglutamyltransferase (GGT) and mean cell volume (MCV) concerning the diagnostic efficiency. The prerequisite for the high diagnostic evidence of the CDT is the quantification of the minor band and the definition of standards of valuation by comparative studies with defined groups of probands (alcoholics, normal population). The combination of the 3 parametres CDT/GGT/MCV gave in 67% of the examined drunken drivers more or less strong hints at chronic alcohol abuse. The BAC of 1.6/1000 as a base for the decision to cause a medical-psychological examination (in case of "poison-resistance") turned out in this study to be an interchangeable, incomprehensible value. In about two thirds of the examined drunken drivers laboratory findings were pathological also in case of BAC below 1.6/1000. According to the experiences existing so far the parametres-combination CDT/GGT is unreservedly suitable as a screening procedure for the registration of potential or manifest alcoholics. Because the examinations may be performed from the usual blood samples for the BAC-detection these laboratory parametres really offer themselves for questions of traffic medicine. Further investigations are necessary.

Determination of ABO antigens in fingernails using the APAAP (immunoalkaline phosphatase) technique

Fingernail specimens with adherent nail-bed were taken from autopsy material with blood groups A, AB, B and O. Frozen 4-5-microns sections were submerged and floated carefully during each working step. Portions of fingernails were contaminated with blood and buccal cells, respectively. Furthermore, fingernail fragments of 8 volunteers were embedded in a biocomponent adhesive according to Grieve and Kotowski (Forensic Sci. Soc., 26 29-34) (1986) and cut by the usual microtome technique. APAAP staining is a proper method for demonstrating blood group antigens in fingernails from groove to margin. Frozen sections as well as smallest specimen embedded in a suitable adhesive are applicable for staining procedures. Using freshly prepared artificial stains, blood group constellations of red blood cells and/or buccal cells adherent on the surface of fingernails may be distinguished from the nail matrix.

Presentation and statistical examination of three-factor association in the HLA system

Three-factor associations in the HLA system are frequently tested statistically by well-known procedures using 2 X 2 X 2 contingency table analysis. The coupling index DABC given in many publications is suitable for none of these procedures. A more meaningful statistical test for the index DABC is described.

[HLA-A, B, C gene, antigen and haplotype frequencies in the northern GDR (German Democratic Republic)]

HLA-A, B, C-polymorphism was characterized from a population sample taken in the north of the GDR (n = 1446). The frequencies obtained are representative for the GDR population. The data properly fit into the European distribution pattern of HLA antigens.

[Estimation of age from root dentine transparency (author's transl)]

Measurement of root dentine transparency according to Band und Ramm (1970) is principally suitable for determination of age. Our own investigations of 601 teeth of 50 persons resulted in a regression function of y = 23.8 + 4.5 x +/- 15.3 in a coefficient of correlation amounting to r = +0/67. The best findings were obtained in persons between 30-60 years of age. This technique is particularly useful for the fast determination of age under conditions prevailing during autopsy. Gross errors of the age of teeth is possible. Therefore, all oral criteria are still required to obtain reliable estimations.

[Sudden unexpected death in papilloma of the choroid plexus of rare localization (author's transl)]

A case of sudden unexpected death due to rare "ball valve"-type obstruction of the cerebral aqueduct is presented.