1
|
Esmaeilzadeh A, Ebrahimi F, Jahani Maleki A, Siahmansouri A. EG.5 (Eris) and BA.2.86 (Pirola) two new subvariants of SARS-CoV-2: a new face of old COVID-19. Infection 2024; 52:337-343. [PMID: 38170417 DOI: 10.1007/s15010-023-02146-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/25/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The World Health Organization announced the end of the Coronavirus Disease of 2019 (COVID-19) global health emergency on May 5, 2023. However, the reports from different countries indicate an elevation in the number of COVID-19-related hospitalizations and deaths through the last months. The subvariant XBB.1.5 (Kraken) was the cause of 49.1% of COVID-19 cases by the end of January 2023. Although, the subvariant EG.5 (Eris) has surpassed the XBB.1.5 recently. EG.5 is a close subvariant descending from XBB.1.9.2 subvariant of Omicron. EG.5.1 is a sublineage carrying two crucial spike mutations F456L and Q52H. Up to now, it is not well-established whether its infectivity, severity, and immune evasion have shown any change or not. Also, BA.2.86 another subvariant of Omicron descending from BA.2 bears over 30 mutations which could affect its infectivity and transmissibility. METHODS Scopus, PubMed, Google Scholar, and Google were searched with six keywords up to 20 November 2023 and highly reliable research and reports were selected to refer to in this article. PURPOSE This brief review aims to overview the most reliable data about EG.5 and BA.2.86 based on scientific evidence. CONCLUSION Based on the currently available data these two new subvariants have similar features with currently circulating variants of Omicron and are less immune evasive than ancestral SARS-CoV-2.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Abdolreza Esmaeilzadeh
- Corona Molecular Diagnosis Reference Laboratory, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran.
- Cancer Gene Therapy Research Center, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran.
| | - Fereshteh Ebrahimi
- Student Research Committee, Department of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran
| | - Armin Jahani Maleki
- Infectious Disease Department, Valiasr Hospital, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran
| | - Amir Siahmansouri
- Infectious Disease Department, Valiasr Hospital, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Sacchi MC, Pelazza C, Bertolotti M, Agatea L, De Gaspari P, Tamiazzo S, Ielo D, Stobbione P, Grappiolo M, Bolgeo T, Novel P, Ciriello MM, Maconi A. The onset of de novo autoantibodies in healthcare workers after mRNA based anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccines: a single centre prospective follow-up study. Autoimmunity 2023; 56:2229072. [PMID: 37381619 DOI: 10.1080/08916934.2023.2229072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Revised: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/30/2023]
Abstract
Nowadays, data concerning the risk of autoimmune disease after SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) vaccination is controversial. The aim of this single centre prospective follow-up study was to evaluate whether healthcare workers (HCWs) vaccinated with BNT162b2 mRNA and mRNA-1273 will show a development and/or a persistence of autoantibodies, focussing on the detection of antibodies against nuclear antigens (antinuclear antibodies, ANA). We enrolled 155 HCWs, however only 108 of them received the third dose and were considered for further analysis. Blood samples were collected before vaccine inoculation (T0), at 3 (T1) and 12 months (T2) after the first dose. All samples were analysed for the presence of a) ANA using indirect Immunofluorescence [IIF] (dilutions of 1:80, 1:160. 1:320 and 1:640), and anti-smooth muscle antibodies (ASMA); b) anti-myeloperoxidase (anti-MPO), anti-proteinase 3 (anti-PR3) and anti-citrullinated peptide antibodies (aCCP) [FEIA]; c) anti-phospholipid antibodies (anticardiolipin [aCL], anti-beta-2- glycoprotein I [anti-ß-2GPI] (Chemiluminescence). Line-blot technology was performed using the following kit: EUROLINE ANA profile 3 plus DFS70 (IgG). Our research suggests that mRNA based anti-SARSCoV-2 vaccines can induce the production of de novo ANA in 22/77(28,57%) of subjects and that the percentage of positivity seems to be directly correlated to the number of vaccine expositions: 6/77 (7,79%) after 2 doses; 16/77 (20,78%) after 3 doses. Since it is known that hyperstimulation of the immune system could lead to autoimmunity, these preliminary results seem to further sustain the idea that the hyperstimulation of the immune system might lead to an autoinflammatory mechanism and eventually to autoimmune disorders. However, the link between SARS-CoV-2 vaccination and the development of autoimmune diseases needs to be further investigated.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M C Sacchi
- Autoimmunology and Analysis Laboratory Unit, "SS. Antonio e Biagio e Cesare Arrigo" Hospital, Alessandria, Italy
- Research Laboratory Facility, Research and Innovation Department (DAIRI), "SS. Antonio e Biagio e Cesare Arrigo" Hospital, Alessandria, Italy
| | - C Pelazza
- Research Training Innovation Infrastructure, Research and Innovation Department (DAIRI), "SS. Antonio e Biagio e Cesare Arrigo" Hospital, Alessandria, Italy
| | - M Bertolotti
- Research Training Innovation Infrastructure, Research and Innovation Department (DAIRI), "SS. Antonio e Biagio e Cesare Arrigo" Hospital, Alessandria, Italy
| | - L Agatea
- Laboratory Department, Affiliated to Euroimmun, Padova, Italy
| | - P De Gaspari
- Laboratory Department, Affiliated to Euroimmun, Padova, Italy
| | - S Tamiazzo
- Autoimmunology and Analysis Laboratory Unit, "SS. Antonio e Biagio e Cesare Arrigo" Hospital, Alessandria, Italy
| | - D Ielo
- Werfen, EEMEA, Milan, Italy
| | - P Stobbione
- Rheumatology Unit, "SS. Antonio e Biagio e Cesare Arrigo" Hospital, Alessandria, Italy
| | - M Grappiolo
- Autoimmunology and Analysis Laboratory Unit, "SS. Antonio e Biagio e Cesare Arrigo" Hospital, Alessandria, Italy
| | - T Bolgeo
- Research Training Innovation Infrastructure, Research and Innovation Department (DAIRI), "SS. Antonio e Biagio e Cesare Arrigo" Hospital, Alessandria, Italy
| | - P Novel
- Laboratory Department, Affiliated to Euroimmun, Padova, Italy
| | - M M Ciriello
- Autoimmunology and Analysis Laboratory Unit, "SS. Antonio e Biagio e Cesare Arrigo" Hospital, Alessandria, Italy
| | - A Maconi
- Research and Innovation Department (DAIRI), "SS. Antonio e Biagio e Cesare Arrigo" Hospital, Alessandria, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Iloanusi ON, Iloanusi NI, Ross AA. Analyzing the impact of vaccinations and weather factors on the COVID-19 pandemic. Curr Med Res Opin 2023; 39:719-729. [PMID: 37009993 DOI: 10.1080/03007995.2023.2197493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/04/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES A world-wide immunization project was launched at the peak of COVID-19 pandemic to contain and minimize the adverse effects of SARS-CoV-2 virus. We carried out a series of statistical analyses in this paper to determine, confirm and quantify the impact of the vaccinations on COVID-19 cases and mortalities, amidst critical confounding factors - temperature and solar irradiance. METHODS The experiments in this paper were carried out on the world data, data from 21 countries and the five major continents. The significance of the 2020 - 2022 vaccinations on the COVID-19 cases and mortalities response data were evaluated via Hypotheses' tests. Correlation coefficient analyses were carried out to determine the extent of the relationship between vaccination coverage and corresponding COVID-19 mortalities data. The impact of vaccination was quantified. The effects of the weather factors - temperature and solar irradiance, on COVID-19 cases and mortalities data were analyzed. RESULTS The series of hypotheses tests carried out reveal that vaccinations did not affect cases; however, vaccinations significantly impacted the mean daily mortalities in all five major continents and globally. The correlation coefficient analysis results show vaccination coverage to be highly and negatively correlated with daily mortalities in the world - the five major continents and most of the countries studied in this work. The percentage reduction in mortalities as a result of wider vaccination coverage was indeed significant. Temperature and solar irradiance impacted daily COVID-19 cases and mortalities data during the vaccination and post vaccination periods. CONCLUSION Results show that the world-wide Vaccination against COVID-19 project had a significant impact in reducing mortalities and minimizing the adverse effects due to COVID-19 globally, in all five (5) major continents of the world and the countries studied in this work, however, temperature and solar irradiance still had effects on COVID-19 response in the vaccination eras.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ogechukwu N Iloanusi
- Department of Electronic Engineering, University of Nigeria, Nsukka 410001, Enugu State, Nigeria
| | - Nneka I Iloanusi
- Department of Radiation Medicine, College of Medicine. University of Nigeria, Ituku-Ozalla Campus, Enugu, Nigeria
| | - Arun A Ross
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824 USA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Molina-Mora JA, González A, Jiménez-Morgan S, Cordero-Laurent E, Brenes H, Soto-Garita C, Sequeira-Soto J, Duarte-Martínez F. Clinical Profiles at the Time of Diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Costa Rica During the Pre-vaccination Period Using a Machine Learning Approach. PHENOMICS (CHAM, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 2:312-322. [PMID: 35692458 PMCID: PMC9173838 DOI: 10.1007/s43657-022-00058-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2022] [Revised: 04/22/2022] [Accepted: 04/27/2022] [Indexed: 04/16/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED The clinical manifestations of COVID-19, caused by the SARS-CoV-2, define a large spectrum of symptoms that are mainly dependent on the human host conditions. In Costa Rica, more than 169,000 cases and 2185 deaths were reported during the year 2020, the pre-vaccination period. To describe the clinical presentations at the time of diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection in Costa Rica during the pre-vaccination period, we implemented a symptom-based clustering using machine learning to identify clusters or clinical profiles at the population level among 18,974 records of positive cases. Profiles were compared based on symptoms, risk factors, viral load, and genomic features of the SARS-CoV-2 sequence. A total of 18 symptoms at time of diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection were reported with a frequency > 1%, and those were used to identify seven clinical profiles with a specific composition of clinical manifestations. In the comparison between clusters, a lower viral load was found for the asymptomatic group, while the risk factors and the SARS-CoV-2 genomic features were distributed among all the clusters. No other distribution patterns were found for age, sex, vital status, and hospitalization. In conclusion, during the pre-vaccination time in Costa Rica, the symptoms at the time of diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection were described in clinical profiles. The host co-morbidities and the SARS-CoV-2 genotypes are not specific of a particular profile, rather they are present in all the groups, including asymptomatic cases. In addition, this information can be used for decision-making by the local healthcare institutions (first point of contact with health professionals, case definition, or infrastructure). In further analyses, these results will be compared against the profiles of cases during the vaccination period. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s43657-022-00058-x.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jose Arturo Molina-Mora
- Centro de Investigación en Enfermedades Tropicales (CIET) and Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, 2060 Costa Rica
| | - Alejandra González
- Instituto Costarricense de Investigación y Enseñanza en Nutrición y Salud (INCIENSA), Tres Ríos, 30301 Costa Rica
| | | | - Estela Cordero-Laurent
- Instituto Costarricense de Investigación y Enseñanza en Nutrición y Salud (INCIENSA), Tres Ríos, 30301 Costa Rica
| | - Hebleen Brenes
- Instituto Costarricense de Investigación y Enseñanza en Nutrición y Salud (INCIENSA), Tres Ríos, 30301 Costa Rica
| | - Claudio Soto-Garita
- Instituto Costarricense de Investigación y Enseñanza en Nutrición y Salud (INCIENSA), Tres Ríos, 30301 Costa Rica
| | - Jorge Sequeira-Soto
- Instituto Costarricense de Investigación y Enseñanza en Nutrición y Salud (INCIENSA), Tres Ríos, 30301 Costa Rica
| | - Francisco Duarte-Martínez
- Instituto Costarricense de Investigación y Enseñanza en Nutrición y Salud (INCIENSA), Tres Ríos, 30301 Costa Rica
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Denford S, Martin AF, Towler L, Mowbray F, Essery R, Bloomer R, Ready D, Love N, Amlôt R, Oliver I, Rubin GJ, Yardley L. A qualitative process analysis of daily contact testing as an alternative to self-isolation following close contact with a confirmed carrier of SARS-CoV-2. BMC Public Health 2022; 22:1373. [PMID: 35850742 PMCID: PMC9294818 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-022-13800-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In July 2021, a randomised controlled trial was conducted to compare the effect on SARS-CoV-2 transmission of seven days of Daily Contact Testing (DCT) using Lateral Flow Test (LFT) and two Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) tests as an alternative to 10 days of standard self-isolation with one PCR, following close contact with a SARS-CoV-2 carrier. In this qualitative study, we used a nested process evaluation to aid interpretation of the trial and provide insight into factors influencing use of tests, understanding of test results, and how tests were used to inform behavioural decisions. METHODS Interviews were conducted with 60 participants (42 randomised to DCT and 18 randomised to self-isolation) who had been in close contact with a confirmed SARS-CoV-2 carrier and had consented to take part in the trial. RESULTS Data were organised into three overarching themes: (1) assessing the risks and benefits of DCT (2) use of testing during the study period and (3) future use of testing. Attitudes toward DCT as an alternative to self-isolation and behaviour during the testing period appeared to be informed by an assessment of the associated risks and benefits. Participants reported how important it was for them to avoid isolation, how necessary self-isolation was considered to be, and the ability of LFTs to detect infection. Behaviour during the testing period was modified to reduce risks and harms as much as possible. Testing was considered a potential compromise, reducing both risk of transmission and the negative impact of self-isolation, and was regarded as a way to return to normal. CONCLUSION Participants in this study viewed DCT as a sensible, feasible, and welcome means of avoiding unnecessary self-isolation. Although negative LFTs provided reassurance, most people still restricted their activity as recommended. DCT was also highly valued by those in vulnerable households as a means of providing reassurance of the absence of infection and as an important means of detecting infection and prompting self-isolation when necessary.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Denford
- Health Protection Research Unit in Behavioural Science and Evaluation at the University of Bristol in Collaboration With UK Health Security Agency, Bristol, UK. .,Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Priory Road Complex, BS8 1TU, Bristol, UK. .,School of Psychological Science, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.
| | - Alex F Martin
- Health Protection Research Unit in Emergency Preparedness and Response at King's College London in Collaboration With UK Health Security Agency, London, UK
| | - Lauren Towler
- School of Psychological Science, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.,School of Psychology, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Fiona Mowbray
- Health Protection Research Unit in Emergency Preparedness and Response at King's College London in Collaboration With UK Health Security Agency, London, UK
| | - Rosie Essery
- Health Protection Research Unit in Behavioural Science and Evaluation at the University of Bristol in Collaboration With UK Health Security Agency, Bristol, UK.,Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Priory Road Complex, BS8 1TU, Bristol, UK.,School of Psychological Science, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.,School of Psychology, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Rachael Bloomer
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Priory Road Complex, BS8 1TU, Bristol, UK
| | - Derren Ready
- Health Protection Research Unit in Behavioural Science and Evaluation at the University of Bristol in Collaboration With UK Health Security Agency, Bristol, UK.,UK Health Security Agency, London, England, UK
| | - Nicola Love
- Health Protection Research Unit in Behavioural Science and Evaluation at the University of Bristol in Collaboration With UK Health Security Agency, Bristol, UK.,UK Health Security Agency, London, England, UK
| | - Richard Amlôt
- Health Protection Research Unit in Behavioural Science and Evaluation at the University of Bristol in Collaboration With UK Health Security Agency, Bristol, UK.,Health Protection Research Unit in Emergency Preparedness and Response at King's College London in Collaboration With UK Health Security Agency, London, UK.,UK Health Security Agency, London, England, UK
| | - Isabel Oliver
- Health Protection Research Unit in Behavioural Science and Evaluation at the University of Bristol in Collaboration With UK Health Security Agency, Bristol, UK.,UK Health Security Agency, London, England, UK
| | - G James Rubin
- Health Protection Research Unit in Emergency Preparedness and Response at King's College London in Collaboration With UK Health Security Agency, London, UK
| | - Lucy Yardley
- Health Protection Research Unit in Behavioural Science and Evaluation at the University of Bristol in Collaboration With UK Health Security Agency, Bristol, UK.,Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Priory Road Complex, BS8 1TU, Bristol, UK.,School of Psychological Science, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.,School of Psychology, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Current Evidence in SARS-CoV-2 mRNA Vaccines and Post-Vaccination Adverse Reports: Knowns and Unknowns. Diagnostics (Basel) 2022; 12:diagnostics12071555. [PMID: 35885461 PMCID: PMC9316835 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics12071555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2022] [Revised: 06/21/2022] [Accepted: 06/24/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
The novel mRNA vaccinations against COVID-19 are gaining worldwide attention for their potential efficacy, as well as for the diagnosis of some post-vaccination-reported adverse reactions. In this state-of-the-art review article, we present the current evidence regarding mainly the diagnosis of spontaneous allergic reactions, the skin occurrences, the vascular, blood, endocrine and heart events, the respiratory reports, the gastrointestinal, hepatic and kidney events, the reproductive and pregnancy issues and the muscle events, as well as the ear, eye, neurologic and psychiatric events following mRNA vaccination against COVID-19. We further present some evidence regarding the mRNA strategies, we provide important information for side effects associated with the spike protein based LNP-mRNA vaccine and its adjuvants, as well as evidence for all the possible dangerous roles of the spike protein, and we discuss our expert opinion on the knowns and the unknowns towards the topic.
Collapse
|
7
|
Mouliou DS. Managing Viral Emerging Infectious Diseases via current Molecular Diagnostics in the Emergency Department: the Tricky Cases. Expert Rev Anti Infect Ther 2022; 20:1163-1169. [PMID: 35702989 DOI: 10.1080/14787210.2022.2089653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Emerging infectious diseases' diagnosis has been a major problem in most hospitals and other senior care facilities, especially for the current Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). The various clinical manifestations, and the several radiology and laboratory data combined with the misleading test results for identifying the virus, are responsible for certain misdiagnoses, especially for suspected cases that visit the emergency department and require urgent management and further treatment. AREAS COVERED The major challenges for emerging infectious diseases' molecular diagnosis are being described here on a great scale, and, finally, strategies for a precise and on-the-spot molecular diagnosis are thoroughly discussed. Related literature was searched using the PubMed, Science Direct, and EMBASE databases published until May 2022 on the general information for viral infections and relevant false test results. EXPERT OPINION Emerging diseases' molecular diagnosis via current common diagnostic assays seems to be extremely tricky, and front-line physicians and other senior care facilities should be able to recognize some falsely diagnosed cases or even prevent their existence. Further biotechnologic revolution concerning viral molecular diagnostics will be evident in the near future, thus new methods' limitations should be highlighted to physicians from the very beginning of their performances and wide utilization.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dimitra S Mouliou
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, BIOPOLIS, Larisa, Greece
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Medical/Surgical, Cloth and FFP/(K)N95 Masks: Unmasking Preference, SARS-CoV-2 Transmissibility and Respiratory Side Effects. J Pers Med 2022; 12:jpm12030325. [PMID: 35330325 PMCID: PMC8951768 DOI: 10.3390/jpm12030325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2022] [Revised: 02/15/2022] [Accepted: 02/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Social distancing and mask-wearing were recommended and mandatory for people during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A web-based questionnaire was disseminated through social media assessing mask type preference and COVID-19 history amongst tertiary sector services and the rates of the triad of respiratory symptoms in each mask type, along with other respiratory-related parameters. Results: Amongst 4107 participants, 63.4% of the responders, mainly women, preferred medical/surgical masks; 20.5%, mainly men, preferred cotton cloth masks; and 13.8% preferred FFP/(K)N95 masks. COVID-19 history was less common in FFP/(K)N95 compared to medical/surgical (9.2% vs. 15.6%, p < 0.001) or cloth masks (9.2% vs. 14.4%, p = 0.006). Compared to the control group (rare mask-wearing, nonsmokers and without lung conditions), those wearing one medical mask were more likely to report frequent sputum production (4.4% vs. 1.9%, p = 0.026) and frequent cough (4.4% vs. 1.6%, p = 0.013), and those wearing FFP/(K)N95 masks were more likely to report frequent cough (4.1% vs. 1.6%, p = 0.048). Compared to the control group, those preferring cotton cloth masks were more likely to report a frequent cough (7.3% vs. 1.6%, p = 0.0002), sputum production (6.3% vs. 1.9%, p = 0.003) and dyspnea (8% vs. 1.3%, p = 0.00001). Conclusions: Safe mask-wearing should be in parallel with a more personalized and social interaction approach.
Collapse
|