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Vaccine Jun 2024The design of prophylactic and diagnostic tools specific to animal papillomaviruses is hampered by the difficulties of viral in vitro manipulation and by the scarce...
The design of prophylactic and diagnostic tools specific to animal papillomaviruses is hampered by the difficulties of viral in vitro manipulation and by the scarce availability of dedicated biotechnological tools. This paper reports the production of Ovine Papillomavirus 3 (OaPV3)-based virus-like particles (OaPV3-VLPs) in the baculovirus system and their use to investigate host humoral immune response through the establishment of an indirect ELISA test., Polyclonal sera and monoclonal antibodies were generated against OaPV3-VLPs, and their isotype and reactivity were determined. Additionally, antibodies allowed OaPV3 detection in ovine squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) samples by immunohistochemistry. Results encourage the standardization of OaPV3-specific prophylactic and serological diagnostic tools, and open new perspectives for the study of host-viral interaction and SCC development.
PubMed: 38839520
DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2024.06.001 -
Vaccine Jun 2024The level of neutralizing antibodies required to confer protection against COVID-19 breakthrough infections (BIs) is unclear, and the ability to know the immune status...
The level of neutralizing antibodies required to confer protection against COVID-19 breakthrough infections (BIs) is unclear, and the ability to know the immune status of individuals against the rapidly changing endemic variants is limited. We assessed longitudinal serum anti-RBD antibody levels and neutralizing activities (NTs) against Omicron BA.5 and XBB.1.5 in healthcare workers following the fourth monovalent and fifth bivalent BA.4-5 vaccines. The occurrence of BIs was also followed, and pre-infection antibody levels were compared between patients who developed BI and those who did not. In addition, we collected whole blood samples on the same day as the sera and stored them on filter papers (nos. 545, 590, and 424) for up to two months, then measured their NTs using dried blood spots (DBS) eluates, and compared them with the NTs in paired sera. Pre-infection levels of NTs were lower in patients who developed BI than those who did not, but the anti-RBD antibody levels were not different between them. The NTs below 50 % using 200-fold diluted sera might be one of the indicators of high risk for COVID-19 BI. However, the NTs against XBB.1.5 at 6 months after the fifth dose of bivalent BA.4-5 vaccine were lower than this threshold in almost half of infection-naïve participants. NTs measured using DBS eluates were strongly correlated with those measured using paired sera, but the time and temperature stability varied with the type of filter paper; no. 545 filter paper was found to most suitable for NT evaluation.
PubMed: 38839519
DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2024.05.077 -
Toxicon : Official Journal of the... Jul 2024African cobras (Naja species) represent one of the most encountered medically important snakes in Africa. They are classified as African spitting (Afronaja subgenus) and... (Review)
Review Comparative Study
African cobras (Naja species) represent one of the most encountered medically important snakes in Africa. They are classified as African spitting (Afronaja subgenus) and non-spitting cobras (Uraeus and Boulengerina subgenera) with similar and different characteristics. Snake venom toxins including three-finger toxin (3FTx), phospholipase A2 (PLA), and snake venom metalloproteinase (SVMP) cause snakebite envenomation leading to morbidity and mortality. The profile of the proteome of African cobra venoms will help to develop safer and more effective antivenoms. The approval of Captopril by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases, has led to intensified research towards possible use of venom toxins as therapeutics. In this review, we compare the venom proteome profile of 3 African Naja subgenera. In both Afronaja and Boulengerina subgenera, 3FTx (Afronaja-69.79%; Boulengerina-60.56%) followed by PLA (Afronaja-21.15%; Boulengerina-20.21%) dominated the venoms compared to the Uraeus subgenus dominated by 3FTx (84.55%) with little to no PLA abundance (0.8%). The venom of subgenus Uraeus was distinct from the other two subgenera by the almost total absence of PLA, thus indicating little or no contribution of PLA in the envenomation caused by Uraeus compared to Afronaja and Boulengerina. Furthermore, we report studies on the experimental testing of African cobra venoms and toxins against diseases including anti-cancer properties.
Topics: Animals; Elapid Venoms; Proteome; Antivenins; Naja; Phospholipases A2
PubMed: 38838860
DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2024.107792 -
Frontiers in Veterinary Science 2024This study aimed to determine the persistent duration of maternal immunity against lumpy skin disease virus (LSDV) in dairy calves born from vaccinated cows using a...
Persistence of passive immunity in calves receiving colostrum from cows vaccinated with a live attenuated lumpy skin disease vaccine and the performance of serological tests.
This study aimed to determine the persistent duration of maternal immunity against lumpy skin disease virus (LSDV) in dairy calves born from vaccinated cows using a virus neutralization test (VNT). The performance of the VNT and an in-house-ELISA test was also determined. Thirty-seven pregnant cows from 12 LSD-free dairy farms in Lamphun province, Thailand were immunized with a homologous Neethling strain-based attenuated vaccine and calved from December 2021 to April 2022. Blood samples from dam-calve pairs were collected within the first week after calving. Subsequently, blood samples were taken from the calves at monthly intervals over a period of 4 months and tested for the humoral immune response using a VNT. The calf sera were also tested with an in-house ELISA test to estimate the accuracy of both tests using a Bayesian approach. For the results, antibodies against LSDV can persist in cows for 4-9 months post-vaccination. Moreover, neutralizing antibodies and LSDV-specific antibodies against LSDV were detected in the majority of calves (75.68%) during the first week after colostrum intake. However, the percentage of seropositive calves declined to zero by day 120, with seropositivity dropping below 50% after day 60. Only a small number of seropositive calves (approximately 13.51%) were observed on day 90. These findings indicated that passive immunity against LSDV can last up to 3 months. The median of posterior estimates for sensitivity (Se) and specificity (Sp) of the VNT were 87.3% [95% posterior probability interval (PPI) = 81.1-92.2%] and 94.5% (95% PPI = 87.7-98.3%), respectively. The estimated Se and Sp for the ELISA test were 83.1% (95% PPI = 73.6-92.6%) and 94.7% (95% PPI = 88.4-98.5%), respectively. In conclusion, this study illustrates the transfer and persistence of maternal passive immunity against LSDV to calves under field conditions. This highlights a potential three-month vaccination gap in calves born from vaccinated cows, while an in-house ELISA test can be used as an ancillary test for LSDV immune response detection. However, further research is required to assess the vaccination protocols for calves as young as 2 months old to precisely determine the duration of maternal immunity.
PubMed: 38835894
DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2024.1303424 -
Parasites, Hosts and Diseases May 2024Malaria is a global disease affecting a large portion of the world's population. Although vaccines have recently become available, their efficacies are suboptimal. We...
Malaria is a global disease affecting a large portion of the world's population. Although vaccines have recently become available, their efficacies are suboptimal. We generated virus-like particles (VLPs) that expressed either apical membrane antigen 1 (AMA1) or microneme-associated antigen (MIC) of Plasmodium berghei and compared their efficacy in BALB/c mice. We found that immune sera acquired from AMA1 VLP- or MIC VLP-immunized mice specifically interacted with the antigen of choice and the whole P. berghei lysate antigen, indicating that the antibodies were highly parasite-specific. Both VLP vaccines significantly enhanced germinal center B cell frequencies in the inguinal lymph nodes of mice compared with the control, but only the mice that received MIC VLPs showed significantly enhanced CD4+ T cell responses in the blood following P. berghei challenge infection. AMA1 and MIC VLPs significantly suppressed TNF-α and interleukin-10 production but had a negligible effect on interferon-γ. Both VLPs prevented excessive parasitemia buildup in immunized mice, although parasite burden reduction induced by MIC VLPs was slightly more effective than that induced by AMA1. Both VLPs were equally effective at preventing body weight loss. Our findings demonstrated that the MIC VLP was an effective inducer of protection against murine experimental malaria and should be the focus of further development.
Topics: Animals; Plasmodium berghei; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Vaccines, Virus-Like Particle; Malaria Vaccines; Malaria; Membrane Proteins; Mice; Protozoan Proteins; Antigens, Protozoan; Female; Antibodies, Protozoan; Parasitemia; CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes; B-Lymphocytes
PubMed: 38835260
DOI: 10.3347/PHD.24017 -
Nature Communications Jun 2024The efficacy of costimulation blockade with CTLA4-Ig (belatacept) in transplantation is limited due to T cell-mediated rejection, which also persists after induction...
The efficacy of costimulation blockade with CTLA4-Ig (belatacept) in transplantation is limited due to T cell-mediated rejection, which also persists after induction with anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG). Here, we investigate why ATG fails to prevent costimulation blockade-resistant rejection and how this barrier can be overcome. ATG did not prevent graft rejection in a murine heart transplant model of CTLA4-Ig therapy and induced a pro-inflammatory cytokine environment. While ATG improved the balance between regulatory T cells (Treg) and effector T cells in the spleen, it had no such effect within cardiac allografts. Neutralizing IL-6 alleviated graft inflammation, increased intragraft Treg frequencies, and enhanced intragraft IL-10 and Th2-cytokine expression. IL-6 blockade together with ATG allowed CTLA4-Ig therapy to achieve long-term, rejection-free heart allograft survival. This beneficial effect was abolished upon Treg depletion. Combining ATG with IL-6 blockade prevents costimulation blockade-resistant rejection, thereby eliminating a major impediment to clinical use of costimulation blockers in transplantation.
Topics: Animals; Male; Mice; Abatacept; Allografts; Antilymphocyte Serum; Graft Rejection; Graft Survival; Heart Transplantation; Immunosuppressive Agents; Interleukin-10; Interleukin-6; Lymphocyte Depletion; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Mice, Inbred C57BL; T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory
PubMed: 38830846
DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-48574-w -
Saudi Medical Journal Jun 2024To shed some light on a potential therapeutic modality that may facilitate resolution of botulism symptoms, namely 3,4-diaminopyridine (3,4-DAP).
OBJECTIVES
To shed some light on a potential therapeutic modality that may facilitate resolution of botulism symptoms, namely 3,4-diaminopyridine (3,4-DAP).
METHODS
In Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, we recently encountered a foodborne botulism outbreak that, luckily, was discovered early. In Prince Sultan Military Medical city, we admitted, during a period of approximately 3 weeks, 15 probable cases, 2 of which were excluded due to more likely alternative diagnoses. We report in this case series 13 highly suspected cases of botulism that we encountered during the outbreak.
RESULTS
A total of 12 out of 13 patients required intensive care unit (ICU) admission, one of which required intubation. Symptoms included cranial nerve palsies, gastrointestinal symptoms, limb and respiratory muscle weakness. Patients showed clinical improvement when received botulinum antitoxin and 3,4-DAP if given early in the course of the disease.
CONCLUSION
Early admisntration of 3,4-DAP may facilitate recovery and prevent disease progression. Larger prospective trials should be carried out to confirm that.
Topics: Humans; Botulism; Disease Outbreaks; Male; Saudi Arabia; Adult; Female; Middle Aged; Amifampridine; Botulinum Antitoxin; Young Adult
PubMed: 38830658
DOI: 10.15537/smj.2024.45.6.20240419 -
Heliyon Jun 2024To monitor post-vaccination antibody production, neutralizing activity, and their dynamics over time in people living with HIV (PLWH).
OBJECTIVE
To monitor post-vaccination antibody production, neutralizing activity, and their dynamics over time in people living with HIV (PLWH).
METHODS
We collected sera from 147 PLWH and 94 healthy controls after vaccination at different time points and examined changes in antibody levels and neutralizing activity using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and pseudovirus neutralization assay.
RESULTS
IgG levels were substantially increased in both PLWH and healthy controls after the booster injection. Antibody levels decreased significantly in both PLWH and controls five months after the booster injection. However, the rate of decrease was not significantly different between the two groups. The generated antibodies demonstrated protective efficacy against the wild-type SARS-CoV-2 strain, but very low protection against the mutant strains. Furthermore, the protection decreased over time. The vaccine was less effective in PLWH with <200/μl CD4 T cells. During the SARS-CoV-2 recovery period, participants had substantially increased serum antibody levels and protective efficacy compared with those who received the booster.
CONCLUSION
Both PLWH and controls demonstrated comparable antibody production ability. Vaccines and booster development against SARS-CoV-2 mutant strains should be prioritized in PLWH, especially in those with low CD4 counts.
PubMed: 38828333
DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e31731 -
Le Infezioni in Medicina 2024Plague raged in Europe for over 1400 years and was responsible for three major pandemics. Today, plague still poses a serious threat to global public health and...
Plague raged in Europe for over 1400 years and was responsible for three major pandemics. Today, plague still poses a serious threat to global public health and surveillance is imperative. Plague is still present in natural reservoirs on several continents, including Africa, Asia and the Americas, and sometimes causes local cases and epidemics. The Third Plague Pandemic caused millions of deaths worldwide, including in Europe. Plague arrived in Europe in the autumn of 1896 mostly through maritime trade routes, where it spread with several epidemic events until 1945, when, in the port city of Taranto, the last known outbreak was recorded. In this paper, we present an overview of the natural history and pathogenicity of , the bacterium responsible for plague, its spread from Asia to Europe during the Third Pandemic, and the therapies used to treat and prevent the disease in Europe, with particular focus on the case of Taranto. In Taranto, the Pasteur Institute's antiserum antimicrobial therapy, and vaccination were used to treat and stop the advance of the bacterium, with mixed results.
PubMed: 38827832
DOI: 10.53854/liim-3202-14 -
Heliyon May 2024Measuring the ability of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies to neutralize live viruses remains an effective approach to quantify the level of protection of individuals. We assessed...
BACKGROUND
Measuring the ability of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies to neutralize live viruses remains an effective approach to quantify the level of protection of individuals. We assessed the neutralization activity against the ancestral SARS-CoV-2, Delta, Omicron BA.1, BA.2, BA.2.12.1, BA.4 and BA.5 strains, in 280 vaccinated restaurant/bar, grocery and hardware store workers in Québec, Canada.
METHODS
Participants were recruited during the emergence of Omicron BA.1 variant. The neutralizing activity of participant sera was assessed by microneutralization assay.
RESULTS
Serum neutralizing antibody (NtAb) titers of all participants against the ancestral SARS-CoV-2 strain were comparable with those against Delta variant (ranges of titers 10-2032 and 10-2560, respectively), however, their response was significantly reduced against Omicron BA.1, BA2, BA.2.12.1, BA.4 and BA.5 (10-1016, 10-1016, 10-320, 10-80 and 10-254, respectively). Individuals who received 2 doses of vaccine had significantly reduced NtAb titers against all SARS-CoV-2 strains compared to those infected and then vaccinated (≥1 dose), vaccinated (≥2 doses) and then infected, or those who received 3 doses of vaccine. Participants vaccinated with 2 or 3 doses of vaccine and then infected had the highest NtAb titers against all SARS-CoV-2 strains tested.
CONCLUSION
We assessed for the first time the NtAb response in food and retail workers. We found that vaccination prior to the emergence of Omicron BA.1 was associated with higher neutralizing activity against pre-Omicron variants, suggesting the importance of updating vaccines to increase antibody response against new SARS-CoV-2 variants. Vaccination followed by infection was associated with higher neutralizing activity against all SARS-CoV-2 strains tested.
PubMed: 38826717
DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e31026