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Bandopadhyay S, Gupta AD, Banerjee A, Gupta P. Bitesize Epidemiology for General Awareness of All Students - I. RESONANCE 2023; 28. [PMCID: PMC10030195 DOI: 10.1007/s12045-023-1563-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/24/2023]
Abstract
This is the first part of a two-part series article. Recently, we have been in the middle of a difficult time due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Pandemics or global epidemics are not new to humankind; they have occurred many times in history. The discourse of epidemiology describes mainly the causal factors which need to be mitigated to prevent or combat the effects of epidemics. In epidemiology, we are not concerned for a person, but rather every individual globally, to make life healthier for all. In this article, we will discuss the basics of epidemiological practice that scientists have used for centuries to prevent epidemics with great results. Overall, we plan for better global health aided by epidemiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shinjini Bandopadhyay
- Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University, Rajarhat Newtown, Kolkata, West Bengal, 700 135 India
| | - Angana Das Gupta
- Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University, Rajarhat Newtown, Kolkata, West Bengal, 700 135 India
| | - Asesh Banerjee
- Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University, Rajarhat Newtown, Kolkata, West Bengal, 700 135 India
| | - Prabuddha Gupta
- Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University, Rajarhat Newtown, Kolkata, West Bengal, 700 135 India
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Bian L, Liu J, Gao F, Gao Q, He Q, Mao Q, Wu X, Xu M, Liang Z. Research progress on vaccine efficacy against SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern. Hum Vaccin Immunother 2022; 18:2057161. [PMID: 35438600 PMCID: PMC9115786 DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2022.2057161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2021] [Revised: 03/08/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) continues to circulate worldwide and a variety of variants have emerged. Variants of concern (VOC) designated by the World Health Organization (WHO) have triggered epidemic waves due to their strong infectivity or pathogenicity and potential immune escape, among other reasons. Although large-scale vaccination campaigns undertaken globally have contributed to the improved control of SARS-CoV-2, the efficacies of current vaccines against VOCs have declined to various degrees. In particular, the highly infectious Delta and Omicron variants have caused recent epidemics and prompted concerns about control measures. This review summarizes current VOCs, the protective efficacy of vaccines against VOCs, and the shortcomings in methods for evaluating vaccine efficacy. In addition, strategies for responding to variants are proposed for future epidemic prevention and control as well as for vaccine research and development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lianlian Bian
- Institute of Biological Products, Division of Hepatitis and Enterovirus Vaccines, National Institutes for Food and Drug Control, Beijing, China
| | - Jianyang Liu
- Institute of Biological Products, Division of Hepatitis and Enterovirus Vaccines, National Institutes for Food and Drug Control, Beijing, China
| | - Fan Gao
- Institute of Biological Products, Division of Hepatitis and Enterovirus Vaccines, National Institutes for Food and Drug Control, Beijing, China
| | - Qiushuang Gao
- Institute of Biological Products, Division of Hepatitis and Enterovirus Vaccines, National Institutes for Food and Drug Control, Beijing, China
| | - Qian He
- Institute of Biological Products, Division of Hepatitis and Enterovirus Vaccines, National Institutes for Food and Drug Control, Beijing, China
| | - Qunying Mao
- Institute of Biological Products, Division of Hepatitis and Enterovirus Vaccines, National Institutes for Food and Drug Control, Beijing, China
| | - Xing Wu
- Institute of Biological Products, Division of Hepatitis and Enterovirus Vaccines, National Institutes for Food and Drug Control, Beijing, China
| | - Miao Xu
- Institute of Biological Products, Division of Hepatitis and Enterovirus Vaccines, National Institutes for Food and Drug Control, Beijing, China
| | - Zhenglun Liang
- Institute of Biological Products, Division of Hepatitis and Enterovirus Vaccines, National Institutes for Food and Drug Control, Beijing, China
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A potent, broadly protective vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern. NPJ Vaccines 2022; 7:144. [DOI: 10.1038/s41541-022-00571-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
AbstractSince the first outbreak in December 2019, SARS-CoV-2 has been constantly evolving and five variants have been classified as Variant of Concern (VOC) by the World Health Organization (WHO). These VOCs were found to enhance transmission and/or decrease neutralization capabilities of monoclonal antibodies and vaccine-induced antibodies. Here, we successfully designed and produced a recombinant COVID-19 vaccine in CHO cells at a high yield. The vaccine antigen contains four hot spot substitutions, K417N, E484K, N501Y and D614G, based on a prefusion-stabilized spike trimer of SARS-CoV-2 (S-6P) and formulated with an Alum/CpG 7909 dual adjuvant system. Results of immunogenicity studies showed that the variant vaccine elicited robust cross-neutralizing antibody responses against SARS-CoV-2 prototype (Wuhan) strain and all 5 VOCs. It further, stimulated a TH1 (T Helper type 1) cytokine profile and substantial CD4+ T cell responses in BALB/c mice and rhesus macaques were recorded. Protective efficacy of the vaccine candidate was evaluated in hamster and rhesus macaque models of SARS-CoV-2. In Golden Syrian hamsters challenged with Beta or Delta strains, the vaccine candidate reduced the viral loads in nasal turbinates and lung tissues, accompanied by significant weight gain and relieved inflammation in the lungs. In rhesus macaque challenged with prototype SARS-CoV-2, the vaccine candidate decreased viral shedding in throat, anal, blood swabs over time, reduced viral loads of bronchus and lung tissue, and effectively relieved the lung pathological inflammatory response. Together, our data demonstrated the broadly neutralizing activity and efficacy of the variant vaccine against both prototype and current VOCs of SARS-CoV-2, justifying further clinical development.
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Delshad M, Sanaei MJ, Pourbagheri-Sigaroodi A, Bashash D. Host genetic diversity and genetic variations of SARS-CoV-2 in COVID-19 pathogenesis and the effectiveness of vaccination. Int Immunopharmacol 2022; 111:109128. [PMID: 35963158 PMCID: PMC9359488 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2022.109128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2022] [Revised: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 08/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), responsible for the outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), has shown a vast range of clinical manifestations from asymptomatic to life-threatening symptoms. To figure out the cause of this heterogeneity, studies demonstrated the trace of genetic diversities whether in the hosts or the virus itself. With this regard, this review provides a comprehensive overview of how host genetic such as those related to the entry of the virus, the immune-related genes, gender-related genes, disease-related genes, and also host epigenetic could influence the severity of COVID-19. Besides, the mutations in the genome of SARS-CoV-2 __leading to emerging of new variants__ per se affect the affinity of the virus to the host cells and enhance the immune escape capacity. The current review discusses these variants and also the latest data about vaccination effectiveness facing the most important variants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahda Delshad
- Department of Laboratory Sciences, School of Allied Medical Sciences, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran
| | - Mohammad-Javad Sanaei
- Department of Hematology and Blood Banking, School of Allied Medical Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Atieh Pourbagheri-Sigaroodi
- Department of Hematology and Blood Banking, School of Allied Medical Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Davood Bashash
- Department of Hematology and Blood Banking, School of Allied Medical Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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Hua Q, Zhang H, Yao P, Xu N, Sun Y, Lu H, Xu F, Liao Y, Yang J, Mao H, Zhang Y, Zhu H, Hu X, Lv H, Jiang J. Immunogenicity and immune-persistence of the CoronaVac or Covilo inactivated COVID-19 Vaccine: a 6-month population-based cohort study. Front Immunol 2022; 13:939311. [PMID: 36032136 PMCID: PMC9411798 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.939311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2022] [Accepted: 07/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Owing to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and the emergency use of different types of COVID-19 vaccines, there is an urgent need to consider the effectiveness and persistence of different COVID-19 vaccines. Methods We investigated the immunogenicity of CoronaVac and Covilo, two inactivated vaccines against COVID-19 that each contain inactivated severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The levels of neutralizing antibodies to live SARS-CoV-2 and the inhibition rates of neutralizing antibodies to pseudovirus, as well as the immunoglobulin (Ig)G and IgM responses towards the spike (S) and nucleocapsid (N) protein of SARS-CoV-2 at 180 days after two-dose vaccination were detected. Results The CoronaVac and Covilo vaccines induced similar antibody responses. Regarding neutralizing antibodies to live SARS-CoV-2, 77.9% of the CoronaVac vaccine recipients and 78.3% of the Covilo vaccine recipients (aged 18–59 years) seroconverted by 28 days after the second vaccine dose. Regarding SARS-CoV-2-specific antibodies, 97.1% of the CoronaVac vaccine recipients and 95.7% of the Covilo vaccine recipients seroconverted by 28 days after the second vaccine dose. The inhibition rates of neutralizing antibody against a pseudovirus of the SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant were significantly lower compared with those against a pseudovirus of wildtype SARS-CoV-2. Associated with participant characteristics and antibody levels, persons in the older age group and with basic disease, especially a chronic respiratory disease, tended to have lower anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody seroconversion rates. Conclusion Antibodies that were elicited by these two inactivated COVID-19 vaccines appeared to wane following their peak after the second vaccine dose, but they persisted at detectable levels through 6 months after the second vaccine dose, and the effectiveness of these antibodies against the Delta variant of SARS-CoV-2 was lower than their effectiveness against wildtype SARS-CoV-2, which suggests that attention must be paid to the protective effectiveness, and its persistence, of COVID-19 vaccines on SARS-CoV-2 variants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qianhui Hua
- School of Medicine, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
| | - Hangjie Zhang
- Department of Immunization Program, Zhejiang Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Hangzhou, China
| | - Pingping Yao
- Department of Virus Inspection, Zhejiang Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Hangzhou, China
| | - Nani Xu
- Department of Immunization Program, Xihu District Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yisheng Sun
- Department of Virus Inspection, Zhejiang Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Hangzhou, China
| | - Hangjing Lu
- Department of Virus Inspection, Zhejiang Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Hangzhou, China
| | - Fang Xu
- Department of Virus Inspection, Zhejiang Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yuting Liao
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Diseases, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Juan Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Diseases, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Haiyan Mao
- Department of Virus Inspection, Zhejiang Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yanjun Zhang
- Department of Virus Inspection, Zhejiang Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Hangzhou, China
| | - Hanping Zhu
- Department of Virus Inspection, Zhejiang Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiaowei Hu
- Department of Immunization Program, Xihu District Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Hangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Jianmin Jiang, ; Huakun Lv, ; Xiaowei Hu,
| | - Huakun Lv
- Department of Immunization Program, Zhejiang Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Hangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Jianmin Jiang, ; Huakun Lv, ; Xiaowei Hu,
| | - Jianmin Jiang
- Department of Immunization Program, Zhejiang Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Hangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Jianmin Jiang, ; Huakun Lv, ; Xiaowei Hu,
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Immune Escape Associated with RBD Omicron Mutations and SARS-CoV-2 Evolution Dynamics. Viruses 2022; 14:v14081603. [PMID: 35893668 PMCID: PMC9394476 DOI: 10.3390/v14081603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Revised: 07/19/2022] [Accepted: 07/19/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The evolution and the emergence of new mutations of viruses affect their transmissibility and/or pathogenicity features, depending on different evolutionary scenarios of virus adaptation to the host. A typical trade-off scenario of SARS-CoV-2 evolution has been proposed, which leads to the appearance of an Omicron strain with lowered lethality, yet enhanced transmissibility. This direction of evolution might be partly explained by virus adaptation to therapeutic agents and enhanced escape from vaccine-induced and natural immunity formed by other SARS-CoV-2 strains. Omicron’s high mutation rate in the Spike protein, as well as its previously described high genome mutation rate (Kandeel et al., 2021), revealed a gap between it and other SARS-CoV-2 strains, indicating the absence of a transitional evolutionary form to the Omicron strain. Therefore, Omicron has emerged as a new serotype divergent from the evolutionary lineage of other SARS-CoV-2 strains. Omicron is a rapidly evolving variant of high concern, whose new subvariants continue to manifest. Its further understanding and the further monitoring of key mutations that provide virus immune escape and/or high affinity towards the receptor could be useful for vaccine and therapeutic development in order to control the evolutionary direction of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Suphanchaimat R, Nittayasoot N, Jiraphongsa C, Thammawijaya P, Bumrungwong P, Tulyathan A, Cheewaruangroj N, Pittayawonganon C, Tharmaphornpilas P. Real-World Effectiveness of Mix-and-Match Vaccine Regimens against SARS-CoV-2 Delta Variant in Thailand: A Nationwide Test-Negative Matched Case-Control Study. Vaccines (Basel) 2022; 10:vaccines10071080. [PMID: 35891245 PMCID: PMC9315782 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines10071080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2022] [Revised: 06/28/2022] [Accepted: 07/01/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The objective of this study is to explore the real-world effectiveness of various vaccine regimens to tackle the epidemic of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Delta variant in Thailand during September–December 2021. We applied a test-negative case control study, using nationwide records of people tested for SARS-CoV-2. Each case was matched with two controls with respect to age, detection date, and specimen collection site. A conditional logistic regression was performed. Results were presented in the form vaccine effectiveness (VE) and 95% confidence interval. A total of 1,460,458 observations were analyzed. Overall, the two-dose heterologous prime-boost, ChAdOx1 + BNT162b2 and CoronaVac + BNT162b2, manifested the largest protection level (79.9% (74.0–84.5%) and 74.7% (62.8–82.8%)) and remained stable over the whole study course. The three-dose schedules (CoronaVac + CoronaVac + ChAdOx1, and CoronaVac + CoronaVac + BNT162b2) expressed very high degree of VE estimate (above 80.0% at any time interval). Concerning severe infection, almost all regimens displayed very high VE estimate. For the two-dose schedules, heterologous prime-boost regimens seemed to have slightly better protection for severe infection relative to homologous regimens. Campaigns to expedite the rollout of third-dose booster shot should be carried out. Heterologous prime-boost regimens should be considered as an option to enhance protection for the entire population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rapeepong Suphanchaimat
- Division of Epidemiology, Department of Disease Control, Ministry of Public Health, Nonthaburi 11000, Thailand; (N.N.); (C.J.); (P.T.); (C.P.); (P.T.)
- International Health Policy Program, Ministry of Public Health, Nonthaburi 11000, Thailand
- Correspondence:
| | - Natthaprang Nittayasoot
- Division of Epidemiology, Department of Disease Control, Ministry of Public Health, Nonthaburi 11000, Thailand; (N.N.); (C.J.); (P.T.); (C.P.); (P.T.)
| | - Chuleeporn Jiraphongsa
- Division of Epidemiology, Department of Disease Control, Ministry of Public Health, Nonthaburi 11000, Thailand; (N.N.); (C.J.); (P.T.); (C.P.); (P.T.)
| | - Panithee Thammawijaya
- Division of Epidemiology, Department of Disease Control, Ministry of Public Health, Nonthaburi 11000, Thailand; (N.N.); (C.J.); (P.T.); (C.P.); (P.T.)
| | | | - Atthavit Tulyathan
- Government Big Data Institute, Bangkok 10900, Thailand; (P.B.); (A.T.); (N.C.)
| | | | - Chakkarat Pittayawonganon
- Division of Epidemiology, Department of Disease Control, Ministry of Public Health, Nonthaburi 11000, Thailand; (N.N.); (C.J.); (P.T.); (C.P.); (P.T.)
| | - Piyanit Tharmaphornpilas
- Division of Epidemiology, Department of Disease Control, Ministry of Public Health, Nonthaburi 11000, Thailand; (N.N.); (C.J.); (P.T.); (C.P.); (P.T.)
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The Importance of Vaccination in the Context of the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Brief Update Regarding the Use of Vaccines. Vaccines (Basel) 2022; 10:vaccines10040591. [PMID: 35455340 PMCID: PMC9027942 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines10040591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2022] [Revised: 04/06/2022] [Accepted: 04/08/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has led the world to undertake the largest vaccination campaign in human history. In record time, unprecedented scientific and governmental efforts have resulted in the acquisition of immunizers utilizing different technologies (nucleotide acids, viral vectors, inactivated and protein-based vaccines). Currently, 33 vaccines have already been approved by regulatory agencies in different countries, and more than 10 billion doses have been administered worldwide. Despite the undeniable impact of vaccination on the control of the pandemic, the recurrent emergence of new variants of interest has raised new challenges. The recent viral mutations precede new outbreaks that rapidly spread at global proportions. In addition, reducing protective efficacy rates have been observed among the main authorized vaccines. Besides these issues, several other crucial issues for the appropriate combatting of the pandemic remain uncertain or under investigation. Particularly noteworthy issues include the use of vaccine-boosting strategies to increase protection; concerns related to the long-term safety of vaccines, child immunization reliability and uncommon adverse events; the persistence of the virus in society; and the transition from a pandemic to an endemic state. In this review, we describe the updated scenario regarding SARS-CoV-2 variants and COVID-19 vaccines. In addition, we outline current discussions covering COVID-19 vaccine safety and efficacy, and the future pandemic perspectives.
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Park U, Cho NH. Protective and pathogenic role of humoral responses in COVID-19. J Microbiol 2022; 60:268-275. [PMID: 35235178 PMCID: PMC8890013 DOI: 10.1007/s12275-022-2037-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2022] [Revised: 02/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Since the advent of SARS-CoV-2 in Dec. 2019, the global endeavor to identify the pathogenic mechanism of COVID-19 has been ongoing. Although humoral immunity including neutralizing activity play an important role in protection from the viral pathogen, dysregulated antibody responses may be associated with the pathogenic progression of COVID-19, especially in high-risk individuals. In addition, SARS-CoV-2 spike-specific antibodies acquired by prior infection or vaccination act as immune pressure, driving continuous population turnover by selecting for antibody-escaping mutations. Here, we review accumulating knowledge on the potential role of humoral immune responses in COVID-19, primarily focusing on their beneficial and pathogenic properties. Understanding the multifaceted regulatory mechanisms of humoral responses during SARS-CoV-2 infection can help us to develop more effective therapeutics, as well as protective measures against the ongoing pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Uni Park
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea
| | - Nam-Hyuk Cho
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea.
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea.
- Institute of Endemic Disease, Seoul National University Medical Research Center, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea.
- Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, 13620, Republic of Korea.
- Wide River Institute of Immunology, Seoul National University, Hongcheon, 25159, Republic of Korea.
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Mukhopadhyay L, Gupta N, Yadav PD, Aggarwal N. Neutralization assays for SARS-CoV-2: Implications for assessment of protective efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines. Indian J Med Res 2022; 155:105-122. [PMID: 35859437 PMCID: PMC9552365 DOI: 10.4103/ijmr.ijmr_2544_21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
The WHO emergency use-listed (EUL) COVID-19 vaccines were developed against early strains of SARS-CoV-2. With the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOCs) - Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta and Omicron, it is necessary to assess the neutralizing activity of these vaccines against the VOCs. PubMed and preprint platforms were searched for literature on neutralizing activity of serum from WHO EUL vaccine recipients, against the VOCs, using appropriate search terms till November 30, 2021. Our search yielded 91 studies meeting the inclusion criteria. The analysis revealed a drop of 0-8.9-fold against Alpha variant, 0.3-42.4-fold against Beta variant, 0-13.8-fold against Gamma variant and 1.35-20-fold against Delta variant in neutralization titres of serum from the WHO EUL COVID-19 vaccine recipients, as compared to early SARS-CoV-2 isolates. The wide range of variability was due to differences in the choice of virus strains selected for neutralization assays (pseudovirus or live virus), timing of serum sample collection after the final dose of vaccine (day 0 to 8 months) and sample size (ranging from 5 to 470 vaccinees). The reasons for this variation have been discussed and the possible way forward to have uniformity across neutralization assays in different laboratories have been described, which will generate reliable data. Though in vitro neutralization studies are a valuable tool to estimate the performance of vaccines against the backdrop of emerging variants, the results must be interpreted with caution and corroborated with field-effectiveness studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Labanya Mukhopadhyay
- Virology Unit, Division of Epidemiology and Communicable Diseases, Indian Council of Medical Research, New Delhi, India
| | - Nivedita Gupta
- Virology Unit, Division of Epidemiology and Communicable Diseases, Indian Council of Medical Research, New Delhi, India
| | - Pragya D Yadav
- Maximum Containment Laboratory, Indian Council of Medical Research-National Institute of Virology, Pune, Maharashtra, India
| | - Neeraj Aggarwal
- Virology Unit, Division of Epidemiology and Communicable Diseases, Indian Council of Medical Research, New Delhi, India
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