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Groh AM, Vehreschild MJGT, Diaz D, Kuchta AL, Dodoo C, Alvarado LA, Parkin NT, Robbins EM, Moonsamy P, Toptan T, Ciesek S, Berger A. Kinetics of SARS-CoV-2 infection biomarkers in a household transmission study. Sci Rep 2024; 14:12365. [PMID: 38811590 PMCID: PMC11136983 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-62835-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/31/2024] Open
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 is the causative agent of COVID-19. Timely and accurate diagnostic testing is vital to contain the spread of infection, reduce delays in treatment and care, and inform patient management. Optimal specimen type (e.g. nasal swabs or saliva), timing of sampling, viral marker assayed (RNA or antigen), and correlation with viral infectivity and COVID-19 symptoms severity remain incompletely defined. We conducted a field study to evaluate SARS-CoV-2 viral marker kinetics starting from very early times after infection. We measured RNA and antigen levels in nasal swabs and saliva, virus outgrowth in cell culture from nasal swabs, and antibody levels in blood in a cohort of 30 households. Nine household contacts (HHC) became infected with SARS-CoV-2 during the study. Viral RNA was detected in saliva specimens approximately 1-2 days before nasal swabs in six HHC. Detection of RNA was more sensitive than of antigen, but antigen detection was better correlated with culture positivity, a proxy for contagiousness. Anti-nucleocapsid antibodies peaked one to three weeks post-infection. Viral RNA and antigen levels were higher in specimens yielding replication competent virus in cell culture. This study provides important data that can inform how to optimally interpret SARS-CoV-2 diagnostic test results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana M Groh
- Goethe University Frankfurt, University Hospital Frankfurt, Department 2 of Internal Medicine, Infectious Diseases, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Maria J G T Vehreschild
- Goethe University Frankfurt, University Hospital Frankfurt, Department 2 of Internal Medicine, Infectious Diseases, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology ITMP, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Damian Diaz
- Goethe University Frankfurt, University Hospital Frankfurt, Department 2 of Internal Medicine, Infectious Diseases, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | | | | | - Luis A Alvarado
- Roche Molecular Systems, Pleasanton, CA, USA
- EP Statistical Consulting, LLC, El Paso, TX, USA
| | | | | | | | - Tuna Toptan
- Institute of Medical Virology, Goethe University Frankfurt, University Hospital Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Sandra Ciesek
- Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology ITMP, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Institute of Medical Virology, Goethe University Frankfurt, University Hospital Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Annemarie Berger
- Institute of Medical Virology, Goethe University Frankfurt, University Hospital Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
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Chen YY, Yang MH, Lai JZ, Chen JW, Wang YL, Wei ST, Hou SM, Chen CJ, Wu HS. Seroprevalence of Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Remained Extremely Low in Taiwan Until the Vaccination Program Was Implemented. Open Forum Infect Dis 2024; 11:ofad614. [PMID: 38192381 PMCID: PMC10773475 DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofad614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Background The Taiwanese government made a concerted effort to contain a coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) nosocomial outbreak of variant B.1.429, shortly before universal vaccination program implementation. This study aimed to investigate seroprevalence in the highest-risk regions. Methods Between January and February 2021, we retrieved 10 000 repository serum samples from blood donors to examine for antibodies against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) nucleocapsid (N) and spike (S) antigens. A positive result was confirmed if anti-N and anti-S antibodies were positive. Overall, 2000 donors residing in the highest-risk district and donating blood in January 2021 were further examined for SARS-CoV-2 RNA. We estimated seroprevalence and compared the epidemic curve between confirmed COVID-19 cases and blood donors with positive antibodies or viral RNA. Results Twenty-one cases with COVID-19 were confirmed in the nosocomial cluster, with an incidence of 1.27/100 000 in the COVID-affected districts. Among 4888 close contacts of the nosocomial cases, 20 (0.4%) became confirmed cases during isolation. Anti-SARS-CoV-2 was detected in 2 of the 10000 blood donors, showing a seroprevalence of 2/10000 (95% CI, 0.55-7.29). None of the 2000 donors who underwent tests for SARS-CoV-2 RNA were positive. The SARS-CoV-2 infection epidemic curve was observed sporadically in blood donors compared with the nosocomial cluster. Conclusions In early 2021, an extremely low anti-SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence among blood donors was observed. Epidemic control measures through precise close contact tracing, testing, and isolation effectively contained SARS-CoV-2 transmission before universal vaccination program implementation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Jen-Wei Chen
- Taiwan Blood Services Foundation, Taipei, Taiwan
| | | | | | - Sheng-Mou Hou
- Taiwan Blood Services Foundation, Taipei, Taiwan
- Shin Kong Wu Ho-Su Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | | | - Ho-Sheng Wu
- Hsinchu Blood Center, Hsinchu, Taiwan
- Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
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3
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Izuhara M, Matsui K, Yoshiike T, Kawamura A, Utsumi T, Nagao K, Tsuru A, Otsuki R, Kitamura S, Kuriyama K. Association between sleep duration and antibody acquisition after mRNA vaccination against SARS-CoV-2. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1242302. [PMID: 38149250 PMCID: PMC10750410 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1242302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 12/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Sleep enhances the antibody response to vaccination, but the relationship between sleep and mRNA vaccination against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is not fully understood. Methods In this prospective observational study, we investigated the influence of sleep habits on immune acquisition induced by mRNA vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 in 48 healthy adults (BNT-162b2, n=34; mRNA-1273, n=14; female, n=30, 62.5%; male, n=18, 37.5%; median age, 39.5 years; interquartile range, 33.0-44.0 years) from June 2021 to January 2022. The study measured sleep duration using actigraphy and sleep diaries, which covered the periods of the initial and booster vaccinations. Results Multivariable linear regression analysis showed that actigraphy-measured objective sleep duration 3 and 7 days after the booster vaccination was independently and significantly correlated with higher antibody titers (B=0.003; 95% confidence interval, 0.000-0.005; Beta=0.337; p=0.02), even after controlling for covariates, including age, sex, the type of vaccine, and reactogenicity to the vaccination. Associations between acquired antibody titer and average objective sleep duration before vaccination, and any period of subjective sleep duration measured by sleep diary were negligible. Discussion Longer objective, but not subjective, sleep duration after booster vaccination enhances antibody response. Hence, encouraging citizens to sleep longer after mRNA vaccination, especially after a booster dose, may increase protection against SARS-CoV-2. Study registration This study is registered at the University Hospital Medical Information Network Center (UMIN: https://www.umin.ac.jp) on July 30, 2021, #UMIN000045009.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muneto Izuhara
- Department of Sleep-Wake Disorders, National Institute of Mental Health, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Kodaira, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, National Center Hospital, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Kodaira, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kentaro Matsui
- Department of Sleep-Wake Disorders, National Institute of Mental Health, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Kodaira, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, National Center Hospital, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Kodaira, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takuya Yoshiike
- Department of Sleep-Wake Disorders, National Institute of Mental Health, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Kodaira, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Aoi Kawamura
- Department of Sleep-Wake Disorders, National Institute of Mental Health, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Kodaira, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tomohiro Utsumi
- Department of Sleep-Wake Disorders, National Institute of Mental Health, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Kodaira, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Psychiatry, The Jikei University School of Medicine, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kentaro Nagao
- Department of Sleep-Wake Disorders, National Institute of Mental Health, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Kodaira, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Psychiatry, National Center Hospital, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Kodaira, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ayumi Tsuru
- Department of Sleep-Wake Disorders, National Institute of Mental Health, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Kodaira, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, National Center Hospital, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Kodaira, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Rei Otsuki
- Department of Psychiatry, Nihon University School of Medicine, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shingo Kitamura
- Department of Sleep-Wake Disorders, National Institute of Mental Health, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Kodaira, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kenichi Kuriyama
- Department of Sleep-Wake Disorders, National Institute of Mental Health, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Kodaira, Tokyo, Japan
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Kelly E, Greenland M, de Whalley PCS, Aley PK, Plested EL, Singh N, Koleva S, Tonner S, Macaulay GC, Read RC, Ramsay M, Cameron JC, Turner DPJ, Heath PT, Bernatoniene J, Connor P, Cathie K, Faust SN, Banerjee I, Cantrell L, Mujadidi YF, Belhadef HT, Clutterbuck EA, Anslow R, Valliji Z, James T, Hallis B, Otter AD, Lambe T, Nguyen-Van-Tam JS, Minassian AM, Liu X, Snape MD. Reactogenicity, immunogenicity and breakthrough infections following heterologous or fractional second dose COVID-19 vaccination in adolescents (Com-COV3): A randomised controlled trial. J Infect 2023; 87:230-241. [PMID: 37331429 PMCID: PMC10275659 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinf.2023.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/20/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND This was the first study to investigate the reactogenicity and immunogenicity of heterologous or fractional second dose COVID-19 vaccine regimens in adolescents. METHODS A phase II, single-blind, multi-centre, randomised-controlled trial recruited across seven UK sites from September to November 2021, with follow-up visits to August 2022. Healthy 12-to-16 years olds were randomised (1:1:1) to either 30 µg BNT162b2 (BNT-30), 10 µg BNT162b2 (BNT-10), or NVX-CoV2373 (NVX), 8 weeks after a first 30 µg dose of BNT162b2. The primary outcome was solicited systemic reactions in the week following vaccination. Secondary outcomes included immunogenicity and safety. 'Breakthrough infection' analyses were exploratory. FINDINGS 148 participants were recruited (median age 14 years old, 62% female, 26% anti-nucleocapsid IgG seropositive pre-second dose); 132 participants received a second dose. Reactions were mostly mild-to-moderate, with lower rates in BNT-10 recipients. No vaccine-related serious adverse events occurred. Compared to BNT-30, at 28 days post-second dose anti-spike antibody responses were similar for NVX (adjusted geometric mean ratio [aGMR]) 1.09 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.84, 1.42] and lower for BNT-10 (aGMR 0.78 [95% CI: 0.61, 0.99]). For Omicron BA.1 and BA.2, the neutralising antibody titres for BNT-30 at day 28 were similar for BNT-10 (aGMR 1.0 [95% CI: 0.65, 1.54] and 1.02 [95% CI: 0.71, 1.48], respectively), but higher for NVX (aGMR 1.7 [95% CI: 1.07, 2.69] and 1.43 [95% CI: 0.96, 2.12], respectively). Compared to BNT-30, cellular immune responses were greatest for NVX (aGMR 1.73 [95% CI: 0.94, 3.18]), and lowest for BNT-10 (aGMR 0.65 [95% CI: 0.37, 1.15]) at 14 days post-second dose. Cellular responses were similar across the study arms by day 236 post-second dose. Amongst SARS-CoV-2 infection naïve participants, NVX participants had an 89% reduction in risk of self-reported 'breakthrough infection' compared to BNT-30 (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 0.11 [95% CI: 0.01, 0.86]) up until day 132 after second dose. BNT-10 recipients were more likely to have a 'breakthrough infection' compared to BNT-30 (aHR 2.14 [95% CI: 1.02, 4.51]) up to day 132 and day 236 post-second dose. Antibody responses at 132 and 236 days after second dose were similar for all vaccine schedules. INTERPRETATION Heterologous and fractional dose COVID-19 vaccine schedules in adolescents are safe, well-tolerated and immunogenic. The enhanced performance of the heterologous schedule using NVX-CoV2373 against the Omicron SARS-CoV-2 variant suggests this mRNA prime and protein-subunit boost schedule may provide a greater breadth of protection than the licensed homologous schedule. FUNDING National Institute for Health Research and Vaccine Task Force. TRIAL REGISTRATION International Standard Randomised Controlled Trial Number registry: 12348322.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eimear Kelly
- Oxford Vaccine Group, NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Melanie Greenland
- Oxford Vaccine Group, NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Philip C S de Whalley
- Oxford Vaccine Group, NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Parvinder K Aley
- Oxford Vaccine Group, NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Emma L Plested
- Oxford Vaccine Group, NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Nisha Singh
- Oxford Vaccine Group, NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Stanislava Koleva
- Oxford Vaccine Group, NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Sharon Tonner
- Oxford Vaccine Group, NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Grace C Macaulay
- Oxford Vaccine Group, NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Robert C Read
- NIHR Southampton Clinical Research Facility and Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, Southampton, UK; Faculty of Medicine and Institute for Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Mary Ramsay
- Immunisation and Countermeasures Division, National Infection Service, Public Health England, London, UK
| | | | - David P J Turner
- University of Nottingham, UK; Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, Nottingham, UK
| | - Paul T Heath
- Vaccine Institute, St. George's, University of London and St. George's University Hospitals NHS Trust, London, UK
| | - Jolanta Bernatoniene
- Paediatric Infectious Disease and Immunology Department, Bristol Royal Hospital for Children, University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust, University of Bristol, UK
| | - Philip Connor
- Noah's Ark Children's Hospital for Wales, University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, UK
| | - Katrina Cathie
- NIHR Southampton Clinical Research Facility and Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, Southampton, UK
| | - Saul N Faust
- NIHR Southampton Clinical Research Facility and Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, Southampton, UK; Faculty of Medicine and Institute for Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Indraneel Banerjee
- Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, Manchester University Hospitals Foundation Trust, UK
| | - Liberty Cantrell
- Oxford Vaccine Group, NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Yama F Mujadidi
- Oxford Vaccine Group, NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Hanane Trari Belhadef
- Oxford Vaccine Group, NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Elizabeth A Clutterbuck
- Oxford Vaccine Group, NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Rachel Anslow
- Oxford Vaccine Group, NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Zara Valliji
- Oxford Vaccine Group, NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Tim James
- Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK
| | - Bassam Hallis
- UK Health Security Agency, Porton Down, Salisbury, UK
| | | | - Teresa Lambe
- Oxford Vaccine Group, NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; Chinese Academy of Medical Science (CAMS) Oxford Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | | | - Angela M Minassian
- Oxford Vaccine Group, NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, UK.
| | - Xinxue Liu
- Oxford Vaccine Group, NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Matthew D Snape
- Oxford Vaccine Group, NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
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Kayalı GA, Durmaz S, Şahin İN, Akkul B, Durusoy R, Akarca FK, Ulukaya S, Çiçek C. COVID-19 Infection, Vaccination, and Antibody Levels: Investigating Correlations through a Cohort Study. Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:1258. [PMID: 37515073 PMCID: PMC10385857 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11071258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2023] [Revised: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM The objective of this study was to explore the potential correlation between COVID-19 infection or vaccination and levels of anti-nucleocapsid (anti-N) and anti-spike (anti-S) antibodies. METHODS Among 6050 healthcare workers at the Ege University Hospital, a cohort study with 162 participants divided into three arms with 54 participants each was conducted. The three groups were selected as follows: those diagnosed with COVID-19 and not vaccinated (group 1), those diagnosed with COVID-19 and subsequently vaccinated with CoronaVac (group 2), and those not diagnosed with COVID-19 but vaccinated with two doses of CoronaVac (group 3). Antibody levels measured at the sixth month of follow-up were defined as the primary outcome. RESULTS At the sixth month, all serum samples tested positive for anti-S. Anti-S levels were found to be significantly higher in group 2 than in the other groups (p < 0.001). There were no differences in antibody levels between groups 1 and 3 (p = 0.080). Average antibody levels were found to be lower in office workers and males. Anti-N antibodies were found to be positive in 85.1% of subjects at the sixth month. In group 2, anti-N antibodies were detected in all samples at the sixth month. Anti-N antibody levels were not significantly different between groups 1 and 2 (p = 0.165). Groups 1 and 2 had significantly higher antibody levels than group 3 (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Vaccination or infection provide protection for at least 6 months. Those who have previously been diagnosed with COVID-19 do not need to be vaccinated in the early period before their antibody levels decrease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gözde Akkuş Kayalı
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Ege University, Izmir 35100, Turkey
| | - Seyfi Durmaz
- Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Ege University, Izmir 35100, Turkey
| | - İrem Nur Şahin
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Ege University, Izmir 35100, Turkey
| | - Betül Akkul
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Ege University, Izmir 35100, Turkey
| | - Raika Durusoy
- Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Ege University, Izmir 35100, Turkey
| | - Funda Karbek Akarca
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ege University, Izmir 35100, Turkey
| | - Sezgin Ulukaya
- Department of Anesthesiology and Reanimation, Faculty of Medicine, Ege University, Izmir 35100, Turkey
| | - Candan Çiçek
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Ege University, Izmir 35100, Turkey
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Panagiotides NG, Zimprich F, Machold K, Schlager O, Müller M, Ertl S, Löffler-Stastka H, Koppensteiner R, Wadowski PP. A Case of Autoimmune Small Fiber Neuropathy as Possible Post COVID Sequelae. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:4918. [PMID: 36981826 PMCID: PMC10049708 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20064918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2023] [Revised: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection is reported to induce and augment autoimmune processes. Moreover, postinfectious effects of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are still poorly understood and often resemble symptoms of the acute infection phase. A patient with swollen extremities was presented to the Department of Angiology at the Medical University of Vienna with complaints of muscle and joint pain, paresthesia, and arterial hypertension with intense headache. Prior to these complaints, she had been suffering from various symptoms since November 2020, following a SARS-CoV-2 infection in the same month. These included recurrent sore throat, heartburn, dizziness, and headache. Paresthesia and muscle and joint pain started in temporal relation to a human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination. Since the patient was suffering from severe pain, intensive pain management was performed. Skin and nerve biopsies revealed autoimmune small fiber neuropathy. The patient's condition could be related to COVID-19, as her first symptoms began in temporal relation to the SARS-CoV-2 infection. Furthermore, in the disease course, antinuclear (ANA) and anti-Ro antibodies, as well as anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) antibodies, could be detected. Together with the symptoms of xerophthalmia and pharyngeal dryness, primary Sjögren's syndrome was diagnosed. In conclusion, though biopsy results could not distinguish a cause of the disease, SARS-CoV-2 infection can be discussed as a likely trigger for the patient's autoimmune reactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noel G. Panagiotides
- Division of Angiology, Department of Internal Medicine II, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria; (N.G.P.); (O.S.); (M.M.); (S.E.); (R.K.)
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine II, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Fritz Zimprich
- Department of Neurology, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria;
| | - Klaus Machold
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria;
| | - Oliver Schlager
- Division of Angiology, Department of Internal Medicine II, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria; (N.G.P.); (O.S.); (M.M.); (S.E.); (R.K.)
| | - Markus Müller
- Division of Angiology, Department of Internal Medicine II, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria; (N.G.P.); (O.S.); (M.M.); (S.E.); (R.K.)
| | - Sebastian Ertl
- Division of Angiology, Department of Internal Medicine II, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria; (N.G.P.); (O.S.); (M.M.); (S.E.); (R.K.)
- Division of Internal Medicine II, Klinikum Wels-Grieskirchen, 4600 Wels-Grieskirchen, Austria
| | | | - Renate Koppensteiner
- Division of Angiology, Department of Internal Medicine II, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria; (N.G.P.); (O.S.); (M.M.); (S.E.); (R.K.)
| | - Patricia P. Wadowski
- Division of Angiology, Department of Internal Medicine II, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria; (N.G.P.); (O.S.); (M.M.); (S.E.); (R.K.)
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