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Signal Transduction and Targeted Therapy May 2024The immunoprotective components control COVID-19 disease severity, as well as long-term adaptive immunity maintenance and subsequent reinfection risk discrepancies...
The immunoprotective components control COVID-19 disease severity, as well as long-term adaptive immunity maintenance and subsequent reinfection risk discrepancies across initial COVID-19 severity, remain unclarified. Here, we longitudinally analyzed SARS-CoV-2-specific immune effectors during the acute infection and convalescent phases of 165 patients with COVID-19 categorized by severity. We found that early and robust SARS-CoV-2-specific CD4 and CD8 T cell responses ameliorate disease progression and shortened hospital stay, while delayed and attenuated virus-specific CD8 T cell responses are prominent severe COVID-19 features. Delayed antiviral antibody generation rather than titer level associates with severe outcomes. Conversely, initial COVID-19 severity imprints the long-term maintenance of SARS-CoV-2-specific adaptive immunity, demonstrating that severe convalescents exhibited more sustained virus-specific antibodies and memory T cell responses compared to mild/moderate counterparts. Moreover, initial COVID-19 severity inversely correlates with SARS-CoV-2 reinfection risk. Overall, our study unravels the complicated interaction between temporal characteristics of virus-specific T cell responses and COVID-19 severity to guide future SARS-CoV-2 wave management.
Topics: Humans; COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; Male; Female; Reinfection; Middle Aged; CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes; Adult; Severity of Illness Index; Antibodies, Viral; Memory T Cells; Aged; CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes; Immunologic Memory
PubMed: 38811527
DOI: 10.1038/s41392-024-01867-4 -
PloS One 2024Despite integrated prevention and control measures, the prevalence of hookworm is still high in Ethiopia. The re-infection rates and predictors are poorly addressed....
BACKGROUND
Despite integrated prevention and control measures, the prevalence of hookworm is still high in Ethiopia. The re-infection rates and predictors are poorly addressed. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the patterns of hookworm re-infection rates and predictors among schoolchildren in northwest Ethiopia.
METHODS
A prospective follow-up study was conducted among 86 schoolchildren from May to December 2022. Data on predictors was collected using a questionnaire. Stool samples were collected and processed via Kato-Katz, McMaster, and spontaneous tube sedimentation techniques. All hookworm-infected children were treated with albendazole and followed for six months. The re-infection rates of hookworm were checked in the 4th and 6th months. Data was entered into Epi-data version 3.1 and analysed using SPSS version 25. Descriptive statistics were used to compute the re-infection rate. The associations of predictors with hookworm re-infection rates were calculated by logistic regression. Variables with a p-value < 0.05 were considered statistically significant.
RESULTS
Of the 86, 81 schoolchildren completed the study. The prevalence of hookworm re-infection in the 4th and 6th months was 23.5% and 33.3%, respectively. Living with family members greater than five (p = .017), poor utilization of latrine (p = .008), infrequent shoe wear (p = .039), and participating in irrigation (p = .020) were the predictors significantly associated with hookworm re-infections.
CONCLUSIONS
The re-infection rate was high during the fourth and sixth months. Participating in irrigation, infrequent shoe wear, and poor latrine utilization were predictors of hookworm re-infection. Therefore, mass drug administration, regular shoe wearing, and health education should be advocated.
Topics: Humans; Ethiopia; Child; Male; Female; Hookworm Infections; Prospective Studies; Albendazole; Prevalence; Reinfection; Adolescent; Feces; Follow-Up Studies; Anthelmintics; Ancylostomatoidea; Schools; Animals
PubMed: 38805475
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0303502 -
Vaccines May 2024Hungary provides the opportunity to evaluate the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccination in a setting where naturally acquired immunity and hybrid immunity are likely to...
Vaccine Effectiveness against GP-Attended Symptomatic COVID-19 and Hybrid Immunity among Adults in Hungary during the 2022-2023 Respiratory Season Dominated by Different SARS-CoV-2 Omicron Subvariants.
UNLABELLED
Hungary provides the opportunity to evaluate the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccination in a setting where naturally acquired immunity and hybrid immunity are likely to play a greater role due to suboptimal vaccination coverage.
METHODS
A test-negative study was conducted during the 2022-2023 respiratory season at the primary care level to determine the effectiveness of at least one COVID-19 booster dose in preventing medically attended symptomatic RT-PCR-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection in adults. Unvaccinated patients were used as a reference group.
RESULTS
A total of 247 cases and 1073 controls were included in the analysis. CVE was 56.8% (95% CI: 11.9-78.8%) in the population aged 60 years and older and 2.3% (95% CI: -50.0-36.3%) in the younger adults against COVID-19 caused by Omicron subvariants, mainly BA.5, BQ.1, and XBB.1. Self-reported COVID-19 in the 60-365 days prior to the current illness did not confer protection against reinfection without vaccination, but together with booster vaccination, it reduced the risk of COVID-19 by 63.0% (95% CI: -28.0-89.3%) and 87.6% (95% CI: 26.4-97.9%) among the 18-59 and 60+ age groups, respectively.
CONCLUSIONS
CVE against COVID-19 was moderately high in the 60+ age groups. Because of the benefit of hybrid immunity, persons with previous SARS-CoV-2 infection should still be considered for vaccination campaigns.
PubMed: 38793747
DOI: 10.3390/vaccines12050496 -
Vaccines Apr 2024The rapid mutation of SARS-CoV-2 has led to multiple rounds of large-scale breakthrough infection and reinfection worldwide. However, the dynamic changes of humoral and...
The rapid mutation of SARS-CoV-2 has led to multiple rounds of large-scale breakthrough infection and reinfection worldwide. However, the dynamic changes of humoral and cellular immunity responses to several subvariants after infection remain unclear. In our study, a 6-month longitudinal immune response evaluation was conducted on 118 sera and 50 PBMC samples from 49 healthy individuals who experienced BA.5/BF.7/XBB breakthrough infection or BA.5/BF.7-XBB reinfection. By studying antibody response, memory B cell, and IFN-γ secreting CD4/CD8 T cell response to several SARS-CoV-2 variants, we observed that each component of immune response exhibited distinct kinetics. Either BA.5/BF.7/XBB breakthrough infection or BA.5/BF.7-XBB reinfection induces relatively high level of binding and neutralizing antibody titers against Omicron subvariants at an early time point, which rapidly decreases over time. Most of the individuals at 6 months post-breakthrough infection completely lost their neutralizing activities against BQ.1.1, CH.1.1, BA.2.86, JN.1 and XBB subvariants. Individuals with BA.5/BF.7-XBB reinfection exhibit immune imprinting shifting and recall pre-existing BA.5/BF.7 neutralization antibodies. In the BA.5 breakthrough infection group, the frequency of BA.5 and XBB.1.16-RBD specific memory B cells, resting memory B cells, and intermediate memory B cells gradually increased over time. On the other hand, the frequency of IFN-γ secreting CD4/CD8 T cells induced by WT/BA.5/XBB.1.16 spike trimer remains stable over time. Overall, our research indicates that individuals with breakthrough infection have rapidly declining antibody levels but have a relatively stable cellular immunity that can provide some degree of protection from future exposure to new antigens.
PubMed: 38793715
DOI: 10.3390/vaccines12050464 -
Viruses May 2024Hepatitis E virus (HEV) genotype 3 is the major cause of acute viral hepatitis in several European countries. It is acquired mainly by ingesting contaminated pork, but...
INTRODUCTION
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) genotype 3 is the major cause of acute viral hepatitis in several European countries. It is acquired mainly by ingesting contaminated pork, but has also been reported to be transmitted through blood transfusion. Although most HEV infections, including those via blood products, are usually self-limiting, they may become chronic in immunocompromised persons. It is thus essential to identify HEV-infected blood donations to prevent transmission to vulnerable recipients.
AIMS
Prior to the decision whether to introduce HEV RNA screening for all Swiss blood donations, a 2-year nationwide prevalence study was conducted.
METHODS
All blood donations were screened in pools of 12-24 samples at five regional blood donation services, and HEV RNA-positive pools were subsequently resolved to the individual donation index donation (X). The viral load, HEV IgG and IgM serology, and HEV genotype were determined. Follow-up investigations were conducted on future control donations (X + 1) and previous archived donations of the donor (X - 1) where available.
RESULTS
Between October 2018 and September 2020, 541,349 blood donations were screened and 125 confirmed positive donations were identified (prevalence 1:4331 donations). At the time of blood donation, the HEV RNA-positive individuals were symptom-free. The median viral load was 554 IU/mL (range: 2.01-2,500,000 IU/mL). Men (88; 70%) were more frequently infected than women (37; 30%), as compared with the sex distribution in the Swiss donor population (57% male/43% female, < 0.01). Of the 106 genotyped cases (85%), all belonged to genotype 3. Two HEV sub-genotypes predominated; 3h3 (formerly 3s) and 3c. The remaining sub-genotypes are all known to circulate in Europe. Five 3ra genotypes were identified, this being a variant associated with rabbits. In total, 85 (68%) X donations were negative for HEV IgM and IgG. The remaining 40 (32%) were positive for HEV IgG and/or IgM, and consistent with an active infection. We found no markers of previous HEV in 87 of the 89 available and analyzed archive samples (X - 1). Two donors were HEV IgG-positive in the X - 1 donation suggesting insufficient immunity to prevent HEV reinfection. Time of collection of the 90 (72%) analyzed X + 1 donations varied between 2.9 and 101.9 weeks (median of 35 weeks) after X donation. As expected, none of those tested were positive for HEV RNA. Most donors (89; 99%) were positive for anti-HEV lgG/lgM (i.e., seroconversion). HEV lgM-positivity (23; 26%) indicates an often-long persistence of lgM antibodies post-HEV infection.
CONCLUSION
The data collected during the first year of the study provided the basis for the decision to establish mandatory HEV RNA universal screening of all Swiss blood donations in minipools, a vital step in providing safer blood for all recipients, especially those who are immunosuppressed.
Topics: Humans; Hepatitis E; Blood Donors; Switzerland; Hepatitis E virus; Male; Female; Adult; Prevalence; Middle Aged; RNA, Viral; Genotype; Hepatitis Antibodies; Immunoglobulin M; Young Adult; Immunoglobulin G; Viral Load; Aged; Adolescent
PubMed: 38793625
DOI: 10.3390/v16050744 -
Viruses Apr 2024Monitoring the long-term changes in antibody and cellular immunity following Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection is crucial for...
Monitoring the long-term changes in antibody and cellular immunity following Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection is crucial for understanding immune mechanisms that prevent reinfection. In March 2023, we recruited 167 participants from the Changning District, Shanghai, China. A subset of 66 participants that were infected between November 2022 and January 2023 was selected for longitudinal follow-up. The study aimed to investigate the dynamics of the immune response, including neutralizing antibodies (NAbs), anti-spike (S)-immunoglobulin G (IgG), anti-S-IgM, and lymphocyte profiles, by analyzing peripheral blood samples collected three to seven months post infection. A gradual decrease in NAbs and IgG levels were observed from three to seven months post infection. No significant differences in NAbs and IgG titers were found across various demographics, including age, sex, occupation, and symptomatic presentation, across five follow-up assessments. Additionally, a strong correlation between NAbs and IgG levels was identified. Lymphocyte profiles showed a slight change at five months but had returned to baseline levels by seven months post infection. Notably, healthcare workers exhibited lower B-cell levels compared to police officers. Our study demonstrated that the immune response to SARS-CoV-2 infection persisted for at least seven months. Similar patterns in the dynamics of antibody responses and cellular immunity were observed throughout this period.
Topics: Humans; COVID-19; China; Male; Antibodies, Viral; Female; Antibodies, Neutralizing; Adult; SARS-CoV-2; Immunoglobulin G; Middle Aged; Longitudinal Studies; Immunoglobulin M; Immunity, Cellular; Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus; Health Personnel
PubMed: 38793554
DOI: 10.3390/v16050672 -
Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease Apr 2024is a ubiquitous zoonotic protozoan parasite that infects a wide variety range of warm-blooded animals. This study describes the epidemiological scenario of in an...
is a ubiquitous zoonotic protozoan parasite that infects a wide variety range of warm-blooded animals. This study describes the epidemiological scenario of in an indigenous community that relies on subsistence hunting in a well-conserved and isolated area of the Peruvian Amazon. The high seropositivity against in humans (83.3% IgG and 6.1% IgM), wild mammals (30.45%, 17 species), peri-domestic rodents (10.0% sp.), and domestic animals (94.1% dogs and 100% cats) indicates the existence of a sylvatic cycle in the community under study. Individual age was found to be positively associated with IgG detection against but not with IgM. It is estimated that each family consumed 5.67 infected animals per year with terrestrial species having higher infective rates than arboreal species. The main risk factors included improper handling and cooking of wild meat, poor hygiene practices, and feeding uncooked offal to domestic animals. This scenario results in a continuous process of infection and reinfection within the indigenous community with cats, dogs, and peri-domestic animals becoming infected through the ingestion of infected raw viscera. Our results emphasize the need to promote safe food handling practices and disposal of waste materials from hunted animals in such communities.
PubMed: 38787031
DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed9050098 -
Antibiotics (Basel, Switzerland) May 2024Periprosthetic shoulder infection (PSI) remains a challenging complication after shoulder arthroplasty. Therapeutic options include one- or two-stage revision,... (Review)
Review
Periprosthetic shoulder infection (PSI) remains a challenging complication after shoulder arthroplasty. Therapeutic options include one- or two-stage revision, irrigation and debridement, and resection arthroplasty. With our systematic review and meta-analysis, we aimed to compare one- and two-stage revisions for periprosthetic shoulder joint infections and determine the most appropriate therapeutic procedure. We performed an extensive literature search in PubMed, Ovid Medline, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and CINAHL and filtered out all relevant studies. The meta-analysis was performed using the random-effects model, heterogeneity was analyzed using I, and publication bias was assessed using the Egger's test. A total of 8 studies with one-stage revisions, 36 studies with two-stage revisions, and 12 studies with both one-stage and two-stage revisions were included. According to the random-effects model, the reinfection rate for the entirety of the studies was 12.3% (95% Cl: 9.6-15.3), with a low-to-moderate heterogeneity of I = 47.72%. The reinfection rate of the one-stage revisions was 10.9%, which was significantly lower than the reinfection rate of the two-stage revisions, which was 12.93% ( = 0.0062). The one-stage revision rate was significantly lower with 1.16 vs. 2.25 revisions in the two-stage revision group ( < 0.0001). The postoperative functional outcome in one-stage-revised patients was comparable but not statistically significant ( = 0.1523). In one- and two-stage revisions, most infections were caused by . In summary, our systematic review and meta-analysis show the superiority of single-stage revision regarding reinfection and revision rates in periprosthetic shoulder joint infection.
PubMed: 38786168
DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics13050440 -
Case Reports in Infectious Diseases 2024As a respiratory tract-transmitted disease, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) exerts a profound immune injury effect, leading not only to pulmonary impairment but also...
As a respiratory tract-transmitted disease, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) exerts a profound immune injury effect, leading not only to pulmonary impairment but also to cardiac complications. We present a case of a 79-year-old woman, who had previously contracted COVID-19 and subsequently developed sinus arrest (SA) following her second infection. The longest asystole time detected by Holter monitoring was 7.2 seconds. Although the patient met criteria for permanent pacemaker implantation, her family declined this intervention and conservative management was pursued instead. However, after a period of observation, the patient's SA resolved. The present case study describes a patient who experienced SA upon reinfection with COVID-19, which was not present during the initial infection. It emphasizes the impact of COVID-19 on cardiac health, particularly its potential to induce arrhythmias. In addition, it is worth noting that the arrhythmia induced by a COVID-19 infection may show reversibility, suggesting that a permanent pacemaker might not be the priority option if further pacing therapy is being considered.
PubMed: 38784432
DOI: 10.1155/2024/5361758 -
Plant Disease May 2024is a genus of trees and shrubs in the Rosaceae commonly known as rowan and mountain-ash. They are usually found in temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere and...
is a genus of trees and shrubs in the Rosaceae commonly known as rowan and mountain-ash. They are usually found in temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere and cultivated as ornamental trees for parks and gardens. In September 2023, infection by a rust was observed on a single tree in Sólbrekkuskógur, Reykjanesbær (64.046645, -22.707276; ~13 m) in Iceland. Infected leaves were collected from this single cultivated tree at an outdoor recreation area in a natural wooded location, with a 2% disease severity. Sori were infrequent, scattered, embedded within circular yellow lesions on leaf margins. On average, one sorus was observed per leaf and only 2% of leaves were infected. Spermogonia epiphyllous, punctate and aggregated, pale yellow to black. Hypophyllous aecia roestelioid with cornute peridium rupturing at apex with peridial cells rhomboidal, aeciospores yellowish brown globoid 17.67-25.17 x 17.20-21.94 µm, walls 1.22-2.28 µm thick (n = 20). The features of this rust and dimensions of spores are consistent with descriptions of (Arthur 1909, Kern 1911). To confirm the identity (specimen MCA9732), a ~620 bp region of the 28S subunit of the ribosomal DNA repeat was sequenced using primers Rust2inv and LR6 following published protocols (Aime 2006). The sequence (GenBank PP413765) shared 100% (649/649 bp) identity with a sequence deposited as (KY764066, BPI910184; J. E. Demers, M. K. Romberg, and L. A. Castlebury, unpublished data) from and 100% (620/620 bp) identity with (PURN11049) on sp. from Canada when blasted against the RustHUBB database (Kaishian et al. 2024). The specimen has been deposited in the Arthur Fungarium at Purdue University as PURN24233. Disease on sp. caused by has been reported in various countries in Africa, Asia, North America, and Europe (Kern 1911). To our knowledge, this is the first report of the occurrence of this genus in Iceland from any host. alternates on species. In Iceland, (sect. Oxycedrus) seems to be the only naturally occurring species but it is an alternate host for G. cornutum. The presence of the primary and alternative hosts in Iceland and the ability of spp. to produce systemic infections in spp., represents the potential for reinfection of every year, resulting in potential impacts on both host species. With being the only spp. in natural habitats in Iceland, the presence of this rust represents a potential ecological disruption, as repeated infections may reduce host vitality and predispose the host to winter injury and attack from opportunistic pathogens or insects.
PubMed: 38783582
DOI: 10.1094/PDIS-03-24-0674-PDN