Long-term and herd immunity against SARS-CoV-2: implications from current and past knowledge

Indirect Dispersion of SARS-CoV-2 Live-Attenuated Vaccine and Its Contribution to Herd Immunity

It has been 34 months since the beginning of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus pandemic, which causes the COVID-19 disease. In several countries, immunization has reached a proportion near what is required to reach herd immunity. Nevertheless, infections and re-infections have been observed even in vaccinated persons. That is because protection conferred by vaccines is not entirely effective against new virus variants. It is unknown how often booster vaccines will be necessary to maintain a good level of protective immunity. Furthermore, many individuals refuse vaccination, and in developing countries, a large proportion of the population has not yet been vaccinated. Some live-attenuated vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 are being developed. Here, we analyze the indirect dispersion of a live-attenuated virus from vaccinated individuals to their contacts and the contribution that this phenomenon could have to reaching Herd Immunity.

Can anti-parasitic drugs help control COVID-19?

Novel COVID-19 is a public health emergency that poses a serious threat to people worldwide. Given the virus spreading so quickly, novel antiviral medications are desperately needed. Repurposing existing drugs is the first strategy. Anti-parasitic drugs were among the first to be considered as a potential treatment option for this disease. Even though many papers have discussed the efficacy of various anti-parasitic drugs in treating COVID-19 separately, so far, no single study comprehensively discussed these drugs. This study reviews some anti-parasitic recommended drugs to treat COVID-19, in terms of function and in vitro as well as clinical results. Finally, we briefly review the advanced techniques, such as artificial intelligence, that have been used to find effective drugs for the treatment of COVID-19.

Analyzing natural herd immunity media discourse in the United Kingdom and the United States

Natural herd immunity, where community-acquired infections in low-risk populations are used to protect high risk populations from infection-has seen high profile support in some quarters, including through the Great Barrington Declaration. However, this approach has been widely criticized as ineffective and misinformed. In this study, we examine media discourse around natural herd immunity in the United States (US) and United Kingdom (UK) to better understand how this approach was promoted. Country-specific news media publications between March 11, 2020 and January 31, 2021 were searched for references to herd immunity. News articles focused on herd immunity and including a stakeholder quote about herd immunity were collected, resulting in 400 UK and 144 US articles. Stakeholder comments were then coded by name, organization, organization type, and concept agreement or disagreement. Government figures and a small but vocal coalition of academics played a central role in promoting natural herd immunity in the news media whereas critics were largely drawn from academia and public health. These groups clashed on whether: natural herd immunity is an appropriate and effective pandemic response; the consequences of a lockdown are worse than those of promoting herd immunity; high-risk populations could be adequately protected; and if healthcare resources would be adequate under a herd immunity strategy. False balance in news media coverage of natural herd immunity as a pandemic response legitimized this approach and potentially undermined more widely accepted mitigation approaches. The ability to protect high risk populations while building herd immunity was a central but poorly supported pillar of this approach. The presentation of herd immunity in news media underscores the need for greater appreciation of potential harm of media representations that contain false balance.

Defining Antibody Seroprevalence and Duration of Humoral Responses to SARS-CoV-2 Infection and/or Vaccination in a Greek Community

BACKGROUND

In this work, we aimed to evaluate antibody-response longevity to SARS-CoV-2 infection and/or vaccination in one of the Greek communities that was worst hit by the pandemic, Deskati, five months after a previous serosurveillance and nine months after the pandemic wave initiation (October 2020).

METHODS

The SARS-CoV-2 IgG II Quant method (Architect, Abbott, IL, USA) was used for antibody testing.

RESULTS

A total of 69 subjects, who previously tested positive or negative for COVID-19 antibodies, participated in the study. We found that 48% of participants turned positive due to vaccination. 27% of participants were both previously infected and vaccinated. However, all previously infected participants retained antibodies to the virus, irrespective of their vaccination status. The antibody titers were significantly higher in previously infected participants that had been vaccinated than those who were unvaccinated and in those that had been previously hospitalized for COVID-19 than those with mild disease.

CONCLUSIONS

Antibody responses to SARS-CoV-2 infection were maintained nine months after the pandemic. Vaccination alone had generated an immune response in almost half of the population. Higher antibody titers were found in the case of vaccination in previously infected subjects and especially in those with severe disease leading to hospitalization.

Community seroprevalence and risk factors for SARS CoV-2 infection in different subpopulations in Vellore, India and its implications for future prevention

Objectives

The aim of this study was to inform public health policy decisions through the assessment of IgG antibody seroprevalence in the population and the risk factors for SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Methods

The seroprevalence of IgG antibodies among different subpopulations at the end of the first and second waves of the pandemic was estimated. Various risk factors associated with seropositivity, including sociodemography, IgG antibodies against endemic human coronavirus, and vaccination status, were also assessed.

Results

For all 2433 consenting participants, the overall estimated seroprevalences at the end of first and second waves were 28.5% (95% CI 22.3–33.7%) and 71.5% (95% CI 62.8–80.5%), respectively. The accrual of IgG positivity was heterogeneous, with the highest seroprevalences found in urban slum populations (75.1%). Vaccine uptake varied among the subpopulations, with low rates (< 10%) among rural and urban slum residents. The majority of seropositive individuals (75%) were asymptomatic. Residence in urban slums (OR 2.02, 95% CI 1.57–2.6; p < 0.001), middle socioeconomic status (OR 1.77, 95% CI 1.17–2.67; p = 0.007), presence of diabetes (OR 1.721, 95% CI 1.148–2.581; p = 0.009), and hypertension (OR 1.75, 95% CI 1.16–2.64; p = 0.008) were associated with seropositivity in multivariable analyses.

Conclusion

Although considerable population immunity has been reached, with more than two-thirds seropositive, improved vaccination strategies among unreached subpopulations and high-risk individuals are suggested for better preparedness in future.

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic: remaining uncertainties in our understanding of the epidemiology and transmission dynamics of the virus, and challenges to be overcome

Great progress has been made over the past 18 months in scientific understanding of the biology, epidemiology and pathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2. Extraordinary advances have been made in vaccine development and the execution of clinical trials of possible therapies. However, uncertainties remain, and this review assesses these in the context of virus transmission, epidemiology, control by social distancing measures and mass vaccination and the effect on all of these on emerging variants. We briefly review the current state of the global pandemic, focussing on what is, and what is not, well understood about the parameters that control viral transmission and make up the constituent parts of the basic reproductive number R 0. Major areas of uncertainty include factors predisposing to asymptomatic infection, the population fraction that is asymptomatic, the infectiousness of asymptomatic compared to symptomatic individuals, the contribution of viral transmission of such individuals and what variables influence this. The duration of immunity post infection and post vaccination is also currently unknown, as is the phenotypic consequences of continual viral evolution and the emergence of many viral variants not just in one location, but globally, given the high connectivity between populations in the modern world. The pattern of spread of new variants is also examined. We review what can be learnt from contact tracing, household studies and whole-genome sequencing, regarding where people acquire infection, and how households are seeded with infection since they constitute a major location for viral transmission. We conclude by discussing the challenges to attaining herd immunity, given the uncertainty in the duration of vaccine-mediated immunity, the threat of continued evolution of the virus as demonstrated by the emergence and rapid spread of the Delta variant, and the logistics of vaccine manufacturing and delivery to achieve universal coverage worldwide. Significantly more support from higher income countries (HIC) is required in low- and middle-income countries over the coming year to ensure the creation of community-wide protection by mass vaccination is a global target, not one just for HIC. Unvaccinated populations create opportunities for viral evolution since the net rate of evolution is directly proportional to the number of cases occurring per unit of time. The unit for assessing success in achieving herd immunity is not any individual country, but the world.

The association between first and second wave COVID-19 mortality in Italy

Background

The relation between the magnitude of successive waves of the COVID-19 outbreak within the same communities could be useful in predicting the scope of new outbreaks.

Methods

We investigated the extent to which COVID-19 mortality in Italy during the second wave was related to first wave mortality within the same provinces. We compared data on province-specific COVID-19 2020 mortality in two time periods, corresponding to the first wave (February 24–June 30, 2020) and to the second wave (September 1–December 31, 2020), using cubic spline regression.

Results

For provinces with the lowest crude mortality rate in the first wave (February–June), i.e. < 22 cases/100,000/month, mortality in the second wave (September–December) was positively associated with mortality during the first wave. In provinces with mortality greater than 22/100,000/month during the first wave, higher mortality in the first wave was associated with a lower second wave mortality. Results were similar when the analysis was censored at October 2020, before the implementation of region-specific measures against the outbreak. Neither vaccination nor variant spread had any role during the study period.

Conclusions

These findings indicate that provinces with the most severe initial COVID-19 outbreaks, as assessed through mortality data, faced milder second waves.

Remitting seronegative symmetrical synovitis with pitting oedema following BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 vaccination

Remitting seronegative symmetrical synovitis with pitting oedema (RS3PE) is a rare inflammatory condition that occurs in older adults. Here, we report a case of an 80-year-old man with no history of rheumatic disease who presented with acute onset of bilateral hand pain, pitting oedema and synovitis after the second dose of the BNT162b2 mRNA C0VID-19 vaccine. Laboratory workup revealed elevated inflammatory markers and negative autoantibodies. Significant improvement was noted with prednisolone. This is the first reported case of RS3PE in an elderly patient with no previous rheumatic disease following mRNA COVID-19 vaccination.

Peripartal anti-SARS-CoV-2-IgA/IgG in asymptomatic pregnant women during regional SARS-CoV-2-outbreak

OBJECTIVES

The Severe Acute Respiratory Distress Corona Virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic poses special challenges for the society and especially the medical staff. Even if a rather mild course is assumed among pregnant women the measures to prevent transmission of the infection are of outstanding importance.

METHODS

To screen asymptomatic pregnant women during admission to our university maternal hospital we focused on anti-SARS-CoV-2-specific IgG and IgA antibody responses. Hundred and fifty one women admitted to the hospital for childbirth or caesarean delivery were included. In case of suspicious anti-SARS-CoV-2-antibody levels an RT-PCR was performed to confirm an ongoing infection with SARS-CoV-2.

RESULTS

A total of 89% showed negative results for anti-SARS-CoV-2-IgA antibodies, whereas 3% were borderline and 7% positive (both labeled as suspicious). In only one patient with suspicious serology we detected SARS-CoV-2-RNA in the following RT-PCR. 2% presented anti-SARS-CoV-2-IgG antibodies, all being positive for anti-SARS-CoV-2-IgA. The observed positive rate of our study collective of 10.6% seemed much higher than the expected one (1.3%) based on the reports of the Robert Koch Institute and the specifications given by the test's manufacturer. The expected positive predictive value (PPV) was 4.3-6.7 times higher than the observed one.

CONCLUSIONS

To our knowledge this is the first report of anti-SARS-CoV-2-antibody levels in the peripartum period of asymptomatic women. As the positive anti-SARS-CoV-2 serology poorly correlated with the confirmatory RT-PCR and the fact that mainly the detection of the virus by PCR correlates with the patient's infectiousness we suggest to rather perform a SARS-CoV-2-PCR-based admission screening in perinatal centers to prevent the spread of the disease.

Integrative Analysis of HTNV Glycoprotein Derived MHC II Epitopes by In Silico Prediction and Experimental Validation

Hantaan virus (HTNV), the causative pathogen of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS), is a negative RNA virus belonging to the Orthohantaviridae family. HTNV envelope glycoprotein (GP), encoded by the genomic medium segment, is immunogenic and is therefore a promising vaccine candidate. Major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC-I) epitopes derived from HTNV has been extensively studied, but little is known of MHC-II epitopes. In silico predictions based on four databases indicated that the full-length HTNV GP has 1121 15-mer epitopes, of which 289 had a high score for binding to the human and murine MHC-II superfamily. It found that epitope ILTVLKFIANIFHTS could potentially bind most MHC-II molecules covering human and murine haplotypes. Dominant epitopes were validated by enzyme-linked immunospot assay of splenocytes from immunized mice; 6 of 10 epitopes supported the predictions including TATYSIVGPANAKVP, TKTLVIGQCIYTITS, FSLLPGVAHSIAVEL, CETYKELKAHGVSCP, CGLYLDRLKPVGSAY, and NLGENPCKIGLQTSS. Conservation analysis of dominant epitopes revealed host–virus interactions without geographic stratification, thus meeting the requirements of candidate vaccines for large-population prophylaxis. These findings provide insight into hantavirus antigenicity and suggest that vaccines targeting MHC-II could provide immune protection in large population to complement symptomatic therapies for the treatment of HFRS.

Will SARS-CoV-2 Become Just Another Seasonal Coronavirus?

The future prevalence and virulence of SARS-CoV-2 is uncertain. Some emerging pathogens become avirulent as populations approach herd immunity. Although not all viruses follow this path, the fact that the seasonal coronaviruses are benign gives some hope. We develop a general mathematical model to predict when the interplay among three factors, correlation of severity in consecutive infections, population heterogeneity in susceptibility due to age, and reduced severity due to partial immunity, will promote avirulence as SARS-CoV-2 becomes endemic. Each of these components has the potential to limit severe, high-shedding cases over time under the right circumstances, but in combination they can rapidly reduce the frequency of more severe and infectious manifestation of disease over a wide range of conditions. As more reinfections are captured in data over the next several years, these models will help to test if COVID-19 severity is beginning to attenuate in the ways our model predicts, and to predict the disease.

Response to COVID-19 in Cyprus: Policy changes and epidemic trends

OBJECTIVES

In late July, Cyprus experienced the second epidemic wave of COVID-19. We present the steps taken by the government and evaluate their effect on epidemic trends.

MATERIALS

Cyprus Press and Information Office data were analysed. Using an R-based forecasting program, two models were created to predict cases up to 01/09/2020: Model 1, which utilised data up to 09/06/2020, when airports reopened to foreign travelers with COVID-19 screening; and Model 2, which utilised data until 24/06/2020, when screening for passengers from low-transmission countries was discontinued.

RESULTS

PIO data revealed no significant policy changes between 24/06/2020 and 31/07/2020. Prediction models were robust and accurate (Model 1, R²  = 0.999, P < .001; Model 2, R²  = 0.998, P < .001). By August 30th, recorded cases exceeded those predicted by Model 1 by 24.47% and by Model 2 by 20.95%, with P values <.001 for both cases.

CONCLUSIONS

The significant difference between recorded cases and those projected by Models 1 and 2 suggests that changes in epidemic trends may have been associated with policy changes after their respective dates. Discontinuation of major restrictions such as airport reopening, can destabilise the control of the epidemic, and may concomitantly necessitate a reevaluation of the current epidemic status. In the face of an evolving situation such as the COVID-19 pandemic, states are forced to balance the imposing of restrictions against their impact on the economy.

Sustainability of SARS-CoV-2 Induced Humoral Immune Responses in COVID-19 Patients from Hospitalization to Convalescence Over Six Months

Understanding the persistence of antibody in convalescent COVID-19 patients may help to answer the current major concerns such as the risk of reinfection, the protection period of vaccination and the possibility of building an active herd immunity. This retrospective cohort study included 172 COVID-19 patients who were hospitalized in Wuhan. A total of 404 serum samples were obtained over six months from hospitalization to convalescence. Antibodies in the specimens were quantitatively analyzed by the capture chemiluminescence immunoassays (CLIA). All patients were positive for the anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgM/IgG at the onset of COVID-19 symptoms, and the IgG antibody persisted in all the patients during the convalescence. However, only approximately 25% of patients can detect the IgM antibodies, IgM against N protein (N-IgM) and receptor binding domain of S protein (RBD-IgM) at the 27th week. The titers of IgM, N-IgM and RBD-IgM reduced to 16.7%, 17.6% and 15.2% of their peak values respectively. In contrast, the titers of IgG, N-IgG and RBD-IgG peaked at 4-5th week and reduced to 85.9%, 62.6% and 87.2% of their peak values respectively at the end of observation. Dynamic behavior of antibodies and their correlation in age, gender and severity groups were investigated. In general, the COVID-19 antibody was sustained at high levels for over six months in most of the convalescent patients. Only a few patients with antibody reducing to an undetectable level which needs further attention. The humoral immune response against SARS-CoV-2 infection in COVID-19 patients exhibits a typical dynamic of acquired immunity.

Akut- und Langzeitimmunität – was serologische Tests wirklich über den Immunstatus preisgeben

Im letzten Jahr hat uns die durch SARS-CoV-2 ausgelöste COVID-19-Pandemie nicht nur gesellschaftlich, sondern auch wissenschaftlich weltweit vor viele Herausforderungen gestellt. Verlässliche Kenntnisse über die Persistenz der Immunantwort des Menschen auf SARS-CoV-2 sind wichtig, um Fragen bezüglich einer langanhaltenden effektiven Immunität zum Schutz vor Reinfektionen und dem Erreichen einer Herdenimmunität sicher zu beantworten. Erste Studien weisen zwar auf die Ausbildung einer humoralen und zellulären Immunität hin, allerdings stehen Langzeitstudien, die uns Informationen über die Dauer einer Immunreaktion geben können, noch aus. Da besonders immunologische Tests, wie die Antikörpertests, dabei helfen, wichtige Informationen über die durch SARS-CoV-2 induzierte Immunreaktion zu liefern und den Immunstatus der Bevölkerung zu ermitteln, werden diese neben den bereits vorhandenen Studien über die SARS-CoV-2-spezifische Immunantwort diskutiert.

SARS-CoV-2 seroconversion among 4040 Egyptian healthcare workers in 12 resource-limited healthcare facilities: A prospective cohort study

Background

We examined Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) seroconversion incidence and risk factors 21 days after baseline screening among healthcare workers (HCWs) in a resource-limited setting.

Methods

A prospective cohort study of 4040 HCWs took place at 12 university healthcare facilities in Cairo, Egypt; April-June 2020. Follow-up exposure and clinical data were collected through online survey. SARS-CoV-2 testing was done using rapid IgM and IgG serological tests and reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for those with positive serology. Cox proportional hazards modelling was used to estimate adjusted hazard ratios (HR) of seroconversion.

Results

3870/4040 (95.8%) HCWs tested negative for IgM, IgG and PCR at baseline; 2282 (59.0%) returned for 21-day follow-up. Seroconversion incidence (positive IgM and/or IgG) was 100/2282 (4.4%, 95% CI:3.6-5.3), majority asymptomatic (64.0%); daily hazard of 0.21% (95% CI:0.17-0.25)/48 746 person-days of follow-up. Seroconversion was: 4.0% (64/1596; 95% CI:3.1-5.1) among asymptomatic; 5.3% (36/686; 95% CI:3.7-7.2) among symptomatic HCWs. Seroconversion was independently associated with older age; lower education; contact with a confirmed case >15 min; chronic kidney disease; pregnancy; change/loss of smell; and negatively associated with workplace contact.

Conclusions

Most seroconversions were asymptomatic, emphasizing need for regular universal testing. Seropositivity was three-fold that observed at baseline. Cumulative infections increased nationally by a similar rate, suggesting HCW infections reflect community not nosocomial transmission.

Humoral Responses and Serological Assays in SARS-CoV-2 Infections

In December 2019, the novel betacoronavirus Severe Acute Respiratory Disease Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was first detected in Wuhan, China. SARS-CoV-2 has since become a pandemic virus resulting in hundreds of thousands of deaths and deep socioeconomic implications worldwide. In recent months, efforts have been directed towards detecting, tracking, and better understanding human humoral responses to SARS-CoV-2 infection. It has become critical to develop robust and reliable serological assays to characterize the abundance, neutralization efficiency, and duration of antibodies in virus-exposed individuals. Here we review the latest knowledge on humoral immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 infection, along with the benefits and limitations of currently available commercial and laboratory-based serological assays. We also highlight important serological considerations, such as antibody expression levels, stability and neutralization dynamics, as well as cross-reactivity and possible immunological back-boosting by seasonal coronaviruses. The ability to accurately detect, measure and characterize the various antibodies specific to SARS-CoV-2 is necessary for vaccine development, manage risk and exposure for healthcare and at-risk workers, and for monitoring reinfections with genetic variants and new strains of the virus. Having a thorough understanding of the benefits and cautions of standardized serological testing at a community level remains critically important in the design and implementation of future vaccination campaigns, epidemiological models of immunity, and public health measures that rely heavily on up-to-date knowledge of transmission dynamics.

Can Melatonin Be a Potential "Silver Bullet" in Treating COVID-19 Patients?

The therapeutic potential of melatonin as a chronobiotic cytoprotective agent to counteract the consequences of COVID-19 infections has been advocated. Because of its wide-ranging effects as an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory compound, melatonin could be unique in impairing the consequences of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Moreover, indirect evidence points out to a possible antiviral action of melatonin by interfering with SARS-CoV-2/angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 association. Melatonin is also an effective chronobiotic agent to reverse the circadian disruption of social isolation and to control delirium in severely affected patients. As a cytoprotector, melatonin serves to combat several comorbidities such as diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and ischemic and non-ischemic cardiovascular diseases, which aggravate COVID-19 disease. In view of evidence on the occurrence of neurological sequels in COVID-19-infected patients, another putative application of melatonin emerges based on its neuroprotective properties. Since melatonin is an effective means to control cognitive decay in minimal cognitive impairment, its therapeutic significance for the neurological sequels of SARS-CoV-2 infection should be considered. Finally, yet importantly, exogenous melatonin can be an adjuvant capable of augmenting the efficacy of anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccines. We discuss in this review the experimental evidence suggesting that melatonin is a potential "silver bullet" in the COVID 19 pandemic.

Assessing the impact of varying levels of case detection and contact tracing on COVID-19 transmission in Canada during lifting of restrictive closures using a dynamic compartmental model

BACKGROUND

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic began with a detected cluster of pneumonia cases in Wuhan, China in December 2019. Endemic transmission was recognized in Canada in early February 2020, making it urgent for public health stakeholders to have access to robust and reliable tools to support decision-making for epidemic management. The objectives of this paper are to present one of these tools-an aged-stratified dynamic compartmental model developed by the Public Health Agency of Canada in collaboration with Statistics Canada-and to model the impact of non-pharmaceutical interventions on the attack rate of COVID-19 infection in Canada.

METHODS

This model simulates the impact of different levels of non-pharmaceutical interventions, including case detection/isolation, contact tracing/quarantine and changes in the level of physical distancing in Canada, as restrictive closures began to be lifted in May 2020.

RESULTS

This model allows us to highlight the importance of a relatively high level of detection and isolation of cases, as well as tracing and quarantine of individuals in contact with those cases, in order to avoid a resurgence of the epidemic in Canada as restrictive closures are lifted. Some level of physical distancing by the public will also likely need to be maintained.

CONCLUSION

This study underlines the importance of a cautious approach to lifting restrictive closures in this second phase of the epidemic. This approach includes efforts by public health to identify cases and trace contacts, and to encourage Canadians to get tested if they are at risk of having been infected and to maintain physical distancing in public areas.

Assessment of the Herd Immunity to SARS-CoV-2 among the Population of the Leningrad Region during the COVID-19 Epidemic

The first case of COVID-19 was registered in the Leningrad Region on March 13, 2020. The period of increasing intensity of the epidemic process lasted 8 weeks. One month after reaching the maximum incidence rate, a study was organized to determine seroprevalence to COVID-19 among the population of the Region.

Objective of the study was to determine the level and structure of community immunity to SARS-CoV-2 virus in the population of the Leningrad Region in the period of intensive COVID-19 transmission.

Materials and methods. The work was carried out within the framework of the Rospotrebnadzor project on assessment of community immunity to the SARS-CoV-2 virus in the population of the Russian Federation. The content of antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 was determined applying ELISA using a kit for the analysis of human serum or blood plasma for the presence of specific IgG to the nucleocapsid of the SARS-CoV-2 virus , manufactured by the State Scientific Center of Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology (Obolensk) in accordance with the instructions for use.

Results and discussion. The study has showed that the herd immunity of the population of the Leningrad Region was 20.7 %. The maximum level has been established in children 1–6 years old (42.3 %) and people over 70 years old (29.0 %). The highest level of seropositivity, except for children and older people, was found among the unemployed (25.1 %). The lowest level of seroprevalence was detected in civil servants (12.8 %) and military personnel (16.7 %). It has been shown that the risk of infection increases by 1.5 times in case of contacts with COVID-19 patients. After exposure to COVID-19 virus, antibodies are produced in 82.1 % of the cases. In individuals with a positive PCR test result obtained earlier, antibodies are detected in 82.8 % of cases. The share of asymptomatic forms among seropositive residents of the Leningrad Region was 86.9 %. The results of assessing the herd immunity to SARS-CoV-2 in the population of the Leningrad Region indicate that during the period of intensive COVID-19 transmission, an average level of seroprevalence was formed. A significant proportion of asymptomatic forms of infection characterizes the high intensity of the latently developing epidemic process. The results obtained should be taken into account when organizing preventive measures, including vaccination, and predicting morbidity rates. 

The bumpy road to achieve herd immunity in COVID-19

Herd immunity is a form of indirect protection that is offered to the community when a large proportion of individuals contained in the community are immune to a certain infection. This immunity can be due to vaccination or to the recovery post-disease. Effective herd immunity in SARS-CoV-2 infection has several hurdles upon achievement. Herd immunity cannot be obtained concomitantly in many geographical areas because the areas have different population density and the societal measures to contain the spreading are different. A proportion of 50-66% of the population needs to be immunized naturally or artificially in this SARS-Cov2 pandemic and this percentage is not easily achievable. The duration of herd immunity is another issue while information on the long-term immune response against SARS-CoV2 is yet scarce. Epitope stability, another issue to be solved when achieving herd immunity, is important. Mutation in the viral structure will call upon other sets of neutralizing antibodies and hence for other herd immunity type installment. The societal tactics to achieve the much-needed herd immunity should be developed keeping in mind the welfare of the population. Without being exhaustive, throughout our paper we will elaborate on each of the hurdles encountered in developing herd immunity to SARS-Cov2 infection.

SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine Development: An Overview and Perspectives

Coronavirus disease 2019, abbreviated as COVID-19, is caused by a new strain of coronavirus called severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). It started in late December 2019 in Wuhan, China, and by mid-March 2020, the disease had spread globally. As of July 17, 2020, this pandemic virus has infected 13.9 million people and claimed the life of approximately 593 000 people globally, and the numbers continue to climb. An unprecedented effort is underway to develop therapeutic and prophylactic strategies against this disease. Various drugs and vaccines are undergoing rapid development, and some of these are already in phase III clinical trials. Although Russia was the first to release a vaccine by skipping phase III clinical trials, there is no evidence of large-scale clinical trials, and the safety and efficacy of the vaccine are still a concern. Nevertheless, critical lessons can be learned and data garnered for developing promising vaccines against this rapidly emerging virus or other similar pathogens in the future. In this overview, we cover the available information on the various vaccine development initiatives by different companies, the potential strategies adopted for vaccine design, and the challenges and clinical impact expected from these vaccines. We also briefly discuss the possible role of these vaccines and the specific concerns for their use in patients with pre-existing disease conditions such as cardiovascular, lung, kidney, and liver diseases, cancer patients who are receiving immunosuppressive medications, including anticancer chemotherapies, and many other sensitive populations, such as children and the elderly.

Immune response to SARS-CoV-2 in health care workers following a COVID-19 outbreak: A prospective longitudinal study

OBJECTIVE

Currently, little is known about the progression of an immune response against SARSCoV- 2 upon infection or sub-infection-exposure over time. We examined the serologic response in healthcare workers up to 12 weeks after a well-documented and contained outbreak and compared results with findings from earlier serologic testing in the same population.

METHODS

This study followed 166 health care workers of the University Perinatal Care Center, Regensburg, Germany, for up to 12 weeks. 27 of the subjects had previously tested positive for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 by PCR testing and developed COVID-19. Serologic responses were tested with two independent commercially available test kits.

RESULTS

77.8 % of COVID-19 study subjects developed a specific IgG-response over the course of the 12-week study, while none of the COVID-19 contact groups had a detectable IgG response. Amongst most COVID-19 patients the values of detectable IgG-responses significantly increased over time as confirmed with both tests, while that of positive IgA responses decreased. Between the number of reported symptoms and antibody responses in COVID-19 patients no correlation was found and no new cases of seroconversion were identified in asymptomatic coworkers with negative PCR during the outbreak.

CONCLUSIONS

Immune response after COVID-19 increases significantly over time but still approximately 22 % of COVID-19 patients did not mount a measurable serologic immune response within 60 days. Exposed co-workers did not develop any relevant antibody levels at all. We conclude that immunity after infection increases over time, but the antibody response does not develop reliably in all infected people.

Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practice Regarding COVID-19 among Patients with Musculoskeletal and Rheumatic Diseases in Nepal: A Web-Based Cross-Sectional Study

Purpose

The global health crisis created by coronavirus disease in 2019, ie, COVID-19, is of serious concern to rheumatologists. The relationship of rheumatic diseases, their therapies, and COVID-19 with multiple genuine and malicious information available online can influence the knowledge and attitudes of rheumatic patients. This Google Forms study was conducted to understand the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of rheumatology patients with regard to COVID-19 in Nepal.

Methods

A web-based cross-sectional study was conducted among patients with rheumatic diseases. A modified version of a questionnaire was used after consent had been obtained. It was then translated into Nepali for comprehensibility. The final questionnaire contained a total of 29 questions: six on demographic parameters and twelve, five, and six on knowledge, attitudes and practice, respectively. Simple descriptive statistics were used to describe the positive responses in each domain. Logistic regression analysis was done to observe demographic variables associated with knowledge, attitudes, and practice.

Results

Among 380 participants, 63.2% were female, the majority (42.1%) aged 18–29 years, and all were literate. Most were aware of the clinical features of COVID-19 (91.6%), 71.5% had positive attitudes toward its control, some (31.5%) thought that they had a greater chance of contracting COVID-19 than others, and 18.9% believed that antirheumatic medications could increase their susceptibility to infection. A majority (>94.7%) of them practiced preventive measures.

Conclusion

Patients with rheumatic diseases were aware of the general clinical features, routes of transmission, and general preventive measures regarding COVID-19 and did not significantly change their treatment practices.

The challenges of COVID-19 in the Brazilian Amazonian communities and the importance of seroepidemiological surveillance studies

The emergence of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has alarmed the world with its high rate of transmission and the ability to cause severe and fatal disease. The impact of this pandemic may be even greater in populations where the absence of health services is a chronic aspect, as reported with populations living in the Brazilian Amazon. In this article, we address the perspective of possible impacts of the pandemic on these populations and the importance of conducting seroepidemiological surveillance studies.