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Roohi A, Gharagozlou S. Vitamin D supplementation and calcium: Many-faced gods or nobody in fighting against Corona Virus Disease 2019. Clin Nutr ESPEN 2024; 62:172-184. [PMID: 38901939 DOI: 10.1016/j.clnesp.2024.05.015] [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: 11/15/2023] [Revised: 05/07/2024] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/22/2024]
Abstract
In December 2019, Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) was first identified and designated as a pandemic in March 2020 due to rapid spread of the virus globally. At the beginning of the pandemic, only a few treatment options, mainly focused on supportive care and repurposing medications, were available. Due to its effects on immune system, vitamin D was a topic of interest during the pandemic, and researchers investigated its potential impact on COVID-19 outcomes. However, the results of studies about the impact of vitamin D on the disease are inconclusive. In the present narrative review, different roles of vitamin D regarding the COVID-19 have been discussed to show that vitamin D supplementation should be recommended carefully.
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Affiliation(s)
- Azam Roohi
- Department of Immunology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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2
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Shohan M, Mahmoudian-Sani MR, Saeedi-Boroujeni A, Iranparast S, Nashibi R, Abolnezhadian F, Yousefi F, Alavi SM, Cheraghian B, Khodadadi A. The Effects of Convalescent Plasma Transfusion on Serum Levels of Macrophage-Associated Inflammatory Biomarkers in Patients with Severe COVID-19. J Interferon Cytokine Res 2024; 44:316-324. [PMID: 38738802 DOI: 10.1089/jir.2024.0018] [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] [Indexed: 05/14/2024] Open
Abstract
As an antibody-based therapy, plasma therapy has been used as an emergency therapeutic strategy against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 infection. Due to the critical role of macrophages in coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19)-associated hyperinflammation, the main objective of this study was to assess the effect of plasma transfusion on the expression levels of the inflammatory biomarkers involved in activation and pulmonary infiltration of macrophages. The target population included 50 severe hospitalized COVID-19 patients who were randomly assigned into 2 groups, including intervention and control. Serum levels of chemokine (C-C motif) ligand (CCL)-2, CCL-3, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and interleukin (IL)-6 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Moreover, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was carried out to assess the relative expression of nuclear factor (NF)-κB1, NF-κB2, nuclear factor erythroid 2 p45-related factor 2 (NRF-2), and thioredoxin-interacting protein genes. Sampling was done at baseline and 72 h after receiving plasma. The intervention group demonstrated significantly lower serum levels of IL-6, TNF-α, and CCL-3. In addition, real-time PCR data analyses showed that the relative expression of NF-κB2 was significantly declined in the patients who received plasma. The use of convalescent plasma probably has a significant inhibitory effect on the cytokines, chemokines, and inflammatory genes related to macrophage activation, which are closely associated with the worsening of clinical outcomes in severe COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mojtaba Shohan
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Mohammad Reza Mahmoudian-Sani
- Thalassemia and Hemoglobinopathy Research Center, Health Research Institute, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Ali Saeedi-Boroujeni
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Abadan University of Medical Sciences, Abadan, Iran
| | - Sara Iranparast
- Immunology Research Center, Institute of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Roohangiz Nashibi
- Infectious and Tropical Diseases Research Center, Health Research Institute, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Farhad Abolnezhadian
- Department of Pediatrics, Abuzar children's hospital, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Farid Yousefi
- Infectious and Tropical Diseases Research Center, Health Research Institute, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Seyed Mohammad Alavi
- Infectious and Tropical Diseases Research Center, Health Research Institute, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Bahman Cheraghian
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Alimentary Tract Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Ali Khodadadi
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
- Cancer, Petroleum, and Environmental pollutants Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
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3
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Arevalo-Romero JA, Chingaté-López SM, Camacho BA, Alméciga-Díaz CJ, Ramirez-Segura CA. Next-generation treatments: Immunotherapy and advanced therapies for COVID-19. Heliyon 2024; 10:e26423. [PMID: 38434363 PMCID: PMC10907543 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e26423] [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] [Received: 10/12/2023] [Revised: 02/12/2024] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), emerged in 2019 following prior outbreaks of coronaviruses like SARS and MERS in recent decades, underscoring their high potential of infectivity in humans. Insights from previous outbreaks of SARS and MERS have played a significant role in developing effective strategies to mitigate the global impact of SARS-CoV-2. As of January 7, 2024, there have been 774,075,242 confirmed cases of COVID-19 worldwide. To date, 13.59 billion vaccine doses have been administered, and there have been 7,012,986 documented fatalities (https://www.who.int/) Despite significant progress in addressing the COVID-19 pandemic, the rapid evolution of SARS-CoV-2 challenges human defenses, presenting ongoing global challenges. The emergence of new SARS-CoV-2 lineages, shaped by mutation and recombination processes, has led to successive waves of infections. This scenario reveals the need for next-generation vaccines as a crucial requirement for ensuring ongoing protection against SARS-CoV-2. This demand calls for formulations that trigger a robust adaptive immune response without leading the acute inflammation linked with the infection. Key mutations detected in the Spike protein, a critical target for neutralizing antibodies and vaccine design -specifically within the Receptor Binding Domain region of Omicron variant lineages (B.1.1.529), currently dominant worldwide, have intensified concerns due to their association with immunity evasion from prior vaccinations and infections. As the world deals with this evolving threat, the narrative extends to the realm of emerging variants, each displaying new mutations with implications that remain largely misunderstood. Notably, the JN.1 Omicron lineage is gaining global prevalence, and early findings suggest it stands among the immune-evading variants, a characteristic attributed to its mutation L455S. Moreover, the detrimental consequences of the novel emergence of SARS-CoV-2 lineages bear a particularly critical impact on immunocompromised individuals and older adults. Immunocompromised individuals face challenges such as suboptimal responses to COVID-19 vaccines, rendering them more susceptible to severe disease. Similarly, older adults have an increased risk of severe disease and the presence of comorbid conditions, find themselves at a heightened vulnerability to develop COVID-19 disease. Thus, recognizing these intricate factors is crucial for effectively tailoring public health strategies to protect these vulnerable populations. In this context, this review aims to describe, analyze, and discuss the current progress of the next-generation treatments encompassing immunotherapeutic approaches and advanced therapies emerging as complements that will offer solutions to counter the disadvantages of the existing options. Preliminary outcomes show that these strategies target the virus and address the immunomodulatory responses associated with COVID-19. Furthermore, the capacity to promote tissue repair has been demonstrated, which can be particularly noteworthy for immunocompromised individuals who stand as vulnerable actors in the global landscape of coronavirus infections. The emerging next-generation treatments possess broader potential, offering protection against a wide range of variants and enhancing the ability to counter the impact of the constant evolution of the virus. Furthermore, advanced therapies are projected as potential treatment alternatives for managing Chronic Post-COVID-19 syndromeand addressing its associated long-term complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenny Andrea Arevalo-Romero
- Laboratorio de Investigación en Ingeniería Celular y Molecular, Instituto Distrital de Ciencia, Biotecnología e Innovación en Salud, IDCBIS, 111611, Bogotá, DC, Colombia
- Instituto de Errores Innatos del Metabolismo, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, 110231, Bogotá, D.C., Colombia
| | - Sandra M. Chingaté-López
- Laboratorio de Investigación en Ingeniería Celular y Molecular, Instituto Distrital de Ciencia, Biotecnología e Innovación en Salud, IDCBIS, 111611, Bogotá, DC, Colombia
| | - Bernardo Armando Camacho
- Laboratorio de Investigación en Ingeniería Celular y Molecular, Instituto Distrital de Ciencia, Biotecnología e Innovación en Salud, IDCBIS, 111611, Bogotá, DC, Colombia
| | - Carlos Javier Alméciga-Díaz
- Instituto de Errores Innatos del Metabolismo, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, 110231, Bogotá, D.C., Colombia
| | - Cesar A. Ramirez-Segura
- Laboratorio de Investigación en Ingeniería Celular y Molecular, Instituto Distrital de Ciencia, Biotecnología e Innovación en Salud, IDCBIS, 111611, Bogotá, DC, Colombia
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4
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Shinar E, Jaffe E, Orr Z, Zalcman BG, Offenbacher J, Quint M, Alpert EA, Weiss BZ, Berzon B. Characteristics and Motivational Factors of Whole Blood and Convalescent Plasma Donors during the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic in Israel. Healthcare (Basel) 2024; 12:589. [PMID: 38470700 PMCID: PMC10931588 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare12050589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2023] [Revised: 02/22/2024] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Demands for whole blood (WB) and COVID-19 convalescent plasma (CCP) donations during the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic presented unprecedented challenges for blood services throughout the world. This study aims to understand the motivating factors that drive WB and CCP donations in the context of the pandemic. This cross-sectional study is based on data extracted from surveys of the two volunteer donor cohorts. The findings reveal that when compared to CCP donors, WB donors were more likely to view donation as a form of social engagement (97.7% vs. 87.1%, p < 0.01), advantageous in the workplace (46.4% vs. 28.6%, p < 0.01), advantageous in their social network (58.6% vs. 47.0%, p = 0.01), and view their donation in the context of positive self-satisfaction (99% vs. 95.1%, p = 0.01). The average age of CCP donors was 7.1 years younger than those who donated WB (p < 0.01). Motivational factors were also analyzed by sex and religiosity. In conclusion, whereas both donor groups showed a high motivation to partake in these life-saving commitments, WB donors were more likely to be motivated by factors that, when better-understood and implemented in policies concerning plasma donations, may help to increase these donations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eilat Shinar
- Magen David Adom National Blood Services, Ramat Gan 52621, Israel;
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva 84105, Israel
| | - Eli Jaffe
- Magen David Adom, Tel Aviv 67062, Israel; (E.J.); (M.Q.)
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva 84105, Israel
| | - Zvika Orr
- Selma Jelinek School of Nursing, Jerusalem College of Technology, Jerusalem 91160, Israel;
| | - Beth G. Zalcman
- Selma Jelinek School of Nursing, Jerusalem College of Technology, Jerusalem 91160, Israel;
| | - Joseph Offenbacher
- Department of Emergency Medicine, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, NYU Langone Health, New York, NY 10016, USA;
| | - Maxim Quint
- Magen David Adom, Tel Aviv 67062, Israel; (E.J.); (M.Q.)
| | - Evan Avraham Alpert
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Hadassah Medical Center-Ein Kerem, Jerusalem 91120, Israel;
- Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 91120, Israel
| | - Boaz Zadok Weiss
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Shaare Zedek Medical Center, Jerusalem 91031, Israel;
| | - Baruch Berzon
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Shamir Medical Center, Beer Yaakov 70300, Israel;
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Franchini M, Focosi D. Hyperimmune Plasma and Immunoglobulins against COVID-19: A Narrative Review. Life (Basel) 2024; 14:214. [PMID: 38398723 PMCID: PMC10890293 DOI: 10.3390/life14020214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2023] [Revised: 01/28/2024] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Since late 2019, the new SARS-CoV-2 virus belonging to the Coronaviridae family has been responsible for COVID-19 pandemic, a severe acute respiratory syndrome. Several antiviral therapies, mostly derived from previous epidemics, were initially repurposed to fight this not rarely life-threatening respiratory illness. Among them, however, the only specific antibody-based therapy available against SARS-CoV-2 infection during the first year of the pandemic was represented by COVID-19 convalescent plasma (CCP). CCP, collected from recovered individuals, contains high levels of polyclonal antibodies of different subclasses able to neutralize SARS-CoV-2 infection. Tens of randomized controlled trials have been conducted during the last three years of the pandemic to evaluate the safety and the clinical efficacy of CCP in both hospitalized and ambulatory COVID-19 patients, whose main results will be summarized in this narrative review. In addition, we will present the current knowledge on the development of anti-SARS-CoV-2 hyperimmune polyclonal immunoglobulins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Massimo Franchini
- Department of Transfusion Medicine and Hematology, Carlo Poma Hospital, 46100 Mantua, Italy
| | - Daniele Focosi
- North-Western Tuscany Blood Bank, Pisa University Hospital, 56124 Pisa, Italy;
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O’Reilly S, Kenny G, Alrawahneh T, Francois N, Gu L, Angeliadis M, de Masson d’Autume V, Garcia Leon A, Feeney ER, Yousif O, Cotter A, de Barra E, Horgan M, Mallon PWG, Gautier V. Development of a novel medium throughput flow-cytometry based micro-neutralisation test for SARS-CoV-2 with applications in clinical vaccine trials and antibody screening. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0294262. [PMID: 38033116 PMCID: PMC10688860 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0294262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Quantifying neutralising capacity of circulating SARS-COV-2 antibodies is critical in evaluating protective humoral immune responses generated post-infection/post-vaccination. Here we describe a novel medium-throughput flow cytometry-based micro-neutralisation test to evaluate Neutralising Antibody (NAb) responses against live SARS-CoV-2 Wild Type and Variants of Concern (VOC) in convalescent/vaccinated populations. Flow Cytometry-Based Micro-Neutralisation Test (Micro-NT) was performed in 96-well plates using clinical isolates WT-B, WT-B.1.177.18 and/or VOCs Beta and Omicron. Plasma samples (All Ireland Infectious Diseases (AIID) Cohort) were serially diluted (8 points, half-log) from 1:20 and pre-incubated with SARS-CoV-2 (1h, 37°C). Virus-plasma mixture were added onto Vero E6 or Vero E6/TMPRSS2 cells for 18h. Percentage infected cells was analysed by automated flow cytometry following trypsinisation, fixation and SARS-CoV-2 Nucleoprotein intracellular staining. Half-maximal Neutralisation Titres (NT50) were determined using non-linear regression. Our assay was compared to Plaque Reduction Neutralisation Test (PRNT) and validated against the First WHO International Standard for anti-SARS-CoV-2 immunoglobulin. Both Micro-NT and PRNT achieved comparable NT50 values. Further validation showed adequate correlation with PRNT using a panel of secondary standards of clinical convalescent and vaccinated plasma samples. We found the assay to be reproducible through measuring both repeatability and intermediate precision. Screening 190 convalescent samples and 11 COVID-19 naive controls (AIID cohort) we demonstrated that Micro-NT has broad dynamic range differentiating NT50s <1/20 to >1/5000. We could also characterise immune-escape VOC Beta and Omicron BA.5, achieving fold-reductions in neutralising capacity similar to those published. Our flow cytometry-based Micro-NT is a robust and reliable assay to quantify NAb titres, and has been selected as an endpoint in clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie O’Reilly
- Centre for Experimental Pathogen Host Research (CEPHR), University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland
- School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Grace Kenny
- Centre for Experimental Pathogen Host Research (CEPHR), University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland
- School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland
- Department of Infectious Diseases, St Vincent’s University Hospital, Elm Park, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Tamara Alrawahneh
- Centre for Experimental Pathogen Host Research (CEPHR), University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland
- School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Nathan Francois
- Centre for Experimental Pathogen Host Research (CEPHR), University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland
- School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Lili Gu
- Centre for Experimental Pathogen Host Research (CEPHR), University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland
- School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Matthew Angeliadis
- Centre for Experimental Pathogen Host Research (CEPHR), University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland
- School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Valentin de Masson d’Autume
- Centre for Experimental Pathogen Host Research (CEPHR), University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland
- School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Alejandro Garcia Leon
- Centre for Experimental Pathogen Host Research (CEPHR), University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland
- School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Eoin R. Feeney
- Centre for Experimental Pathogen Host Research (CEPHR), University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland
- School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland
- Department of Infectious Diseases, St Vincent’s University Hospital, Elm Park, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Obada Yousif
- Endocrinology Department, Wexford General Hospital, Carricklawn, Wexford, Ireland
| | - Aoife Cotter
- Centre for Experimental Pathogen Host Research (CEPHR), University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland
- School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Eccles St, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Eoghan de Barra
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Beaumont Hospital, Beaumont, Dublin, Ireland
- Department of International Health and Tropical Medicine, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Mary Horgan
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Cork University Hospital, Wilton, Cork, Ireland
| | - Patrick W. G. Mallon
- Centre for Experimental Pathogen Host Research (CEPHR), University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland
- School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland
- Department of Infectious Diseases, St Vincent’s University Hospital, Elm Park, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Virginie Gautier
- Centre for Experimental Pathogen Host Research (CEPHR), University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland
- School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland
- Conway Institute of Biomedical and Biomolecular Research, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
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Zirou C, Gumeni S, Bellos I, Ntanasis-Stathopoulos I, Sklirou AD, Bagratuni T, Korompoki E, Apostolakou F, Papassotiriou I, Trougakos IP, Terpos E. Longitudinal Analysis of Antibody Response Following SARS-CoV-2 Infection Depending on Disease Severity: A Prospective Cohort Study. Viruses 2023; 15:2250. [PMID: 38005927 PMCID: PMC10674840 DOI: 10.3390/v15112250] [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: 09/29/2023] [Revised: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Severe coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) is characterized by a dysregulated inflammatory response, with humoral immunity playing a central role in the disease course. The objective of this study was to assess the immune response and the effects of vaccination in recovered individuals with variable disease severity up to one year following natural infection. METHODS A prospective cohort study was conducted including patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19. Disease severity was classified as mild, moderate, and severe based on clinical presentation and outcomes. Anti-RBD (receptor binding domain) and neutralizing antibodies were evaluated at multiple timepoints during the first year after COVID-19 diagnosis. RESULTS A total of 106 patients were included; of them, 28 were diagnosed with mild, 38 with moderate, and 40 with severe disease. At least one vaccine dose was administered in 58 individuals during the follow-up. Participants with mild disease presented significantly lower anti-RBD and neutralizing antibodies compared to those with moderate and severe disease up to the 3rd and 6th months after the infection, respectively. After adjusting for covariates, in the third month, severe COVID-19 was associated with significantly higher anti-RBD (β: 563.09; 95% confidence intervals (CI): 257.02 to 869.17) and neutralizing (β: 21.47; 95% CI: 12.04 to 30.90) antibodies. Among vaccinated individuals, at the 12th month, a history of moderate disease was associated with significantly higher anti-RBD levels (β: 5615.19; 95% CI: 657.92 to 10,572.46). CONCLUSIONS Severe COVID-19 is associated with higher anti-RBD and neutralizing antibodies up to 6 months after the infection. Vaccination of recovered patients is associated with a remarkable augmentation of antibody titers up to one year after COVID-19 diagnosis, regardless of disease severity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina Zirou
- Department of Internal Medicine, Sotiria General and Chest Diseases Hospital of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Sentiljana Gumeni
- Department of Cell Biology and Biophysics, Faculty of Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 15771 Athens, Greece
| | - Ioannis Bellos
- Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Ioannis Ntanasis-Stathopoulos
- Department of Clinical Therapeutics, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11528 Athens, Greece
| | - Aimilia D. Sklirou
- Department of Cell Biology and Biophysics, Faculty of Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 15771 Athens, Greece
| | - Tina Bagratuni
- Department of Clinical Therapeutics, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11528 Athens, Greece
| | - Eleni Korompoki
- Department of Clinical Therapeutics, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11528 Athens, Greece
| | - Filia Apostolakou
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, “Aghia Sophia” Children’s Hospital, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Ioannis Papassotiriou
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, “Aghia Sophia” Children’s Hospital, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Ioannis P. Trougakos
- Department of Cell Biology and Biophysics, Faculty of Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 15771 Athens, Greece
| | - Evangelos Terpos
- Department of Clinical Therapeutics, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11528 Athens, Greece
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8
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Ntanasis-Stathopoulos I, Filippatos C, Gavriatopoulou M, Malandrakis P, Eleutherakis-Papaiakovou E, Spiliopoulou V, Syrigou RE, Theodorakakou F, Fotiou D, Migkou M, Roussou M, Kastritis E, Dimopoulos MA, Terpos E. Tixagevimab/Cilgavimab as Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis against COVID-19 for Multiple Myeloma Patients: A Prospective Study in the Omicron Era. Diseases 2023; 11:123. [PMID: 37754319 PMCID: PMC10529256 DOI: 10.3390/diseases11030123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2023] [Revised: 09/12/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: tixagevimab/cilgavimab, distributed under the name "Evusheld", was the first available pre-exposure prophylaxis for COVID-19 other than vaccination. It received an EUA from the FDA after sufficient trial data showed efficacy in preventing SARS-CoV-2 infections and subsequent severe disease. Its potential benefits for high-risk immunocompromised patients generated a lot of interest. Individuals with multiple myeloma fall into this category, as they are characterized by attenuated immune responses and, in some cases, vaccines have limited efficacy. Methods: this single-center, prospective study included consecutive patients with multiple myeloma. All individuals were considered high-risk for COVID-19 due to their underlying disease. Baseline demographic and clinical characteristics, as well as data regarding COVID-19 infection and antibodies, were collected. Patients were administered two intramuscular 150 mg doses of Evusheld and were monitored during the follow-up period. Results: one hundred and eleven multiple myeloma patients were included in this analysis, with a median age of 64 years (range 58-69) and fifty-three were females (47.7%). Fourteen patients (12.6%) had a prior history of COVID-19 and all patients were vaccinated with either three or four doses of mRNA-based vaccines. An increase was observed in the median neutralizing-antibody levels before and after tixagevimab/cilgavimab administration, from 92.6% to 97.3%. The high levels were sustainable, with a median neutralizing-antibody level of 95.4% at 3 months post Evusheld administration. Overall, nine patients (8.1%) were diagnosed with COVID-19 during the follow-up period, at a median of 31 days. There were no SARS-CoV-2- infection-related hospitalizations or deaths. The monoclonal antibody combination was well tolerated, with no infusion-related reactions or major adverse events, and pain at the injection site only was reported by 33 patients (30%). Conclusions: tixagevimab/cilgavimab (Evusheld) seemed beneficial for patients with multiple myeloma, who presented high neutralizing-antibody levels and a low incidence of COVID-19 during the initial Omicron wave. No new safety concerns emerged. However, novel combinations of monoclonal antibodies against the new circulating variants of SARS-CoV-2 are deemed necessary in view of the emergence of immune tolerance.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Evangelos Terpos
- Department of Clinical Therapeutics, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11528 Athens, Greece; (I.N.-S.); (C.F.)
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9
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Terpos E, Musto P, Engelhardt M, Ntanasis-Stathopoulos I, Sonneveld P, Ludwig H. Convalescent plasma for patients with multiple myeloma and COVID-19; the European Myeloma Network consensus. Leukemia 2023; 37:1939-1940. [PMID: 37507424 DOI: 10.1038/s41375-023-01974-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2023] [Revised: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Evangelos Terpos
- Department of Clinical Therapeutics, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
| | - Pellegrino Musto
- Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Ionian Area, "Aldo Moro" University School of Medicine, Bari, Italy
- Unit of Hematology and Stem Cell Transplantation, AOUC Policlinico, Bari, Italy
| | - Monika Engelhardt
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Interdisciplinary Cancer Center and Comprehensive Cancer Center Freiburg, University of Freiburg, Faculty of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Ioannis Ntanasis-Stathopoulos
- Department of Clinical Therapeutics, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Pieter Sonneveld
- Department of Hematology, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Heinz Ludwig
- Wilhelminen Cancer Research Institute, First Department of Medicine, Center for Oncology, Hematology, and Palliative Care, Clinic Ottakring, Vienna, Austria
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Dueñas D, Daza J, Liscano Y. Coinfections and Superinfections Associated with COVID-19 in Colombia: A Narrative Review. MEDICINA (KAUNAS, LITHUANIA) 2023; 59:1336. [PMID: 37512147 PMCID: PMC10385172 DOI: 10.3390/medicina59071336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2023] [Revised: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has had significant impacts on healthcare systems around the world, including in Latin America. In Colombia, there have been over 23,000 confirmed cases and 100 deaths since 2022, with the highest number of cases occurring in females and the highest number of deaths in males. The elderly and those with comorbidities, such as arterial hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and respiratory diseases, have been particularly affected. Coinfections with other microorganisms, including dengue virus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Mycobacterium tuberculosis, have also been a significant factor in increasing morbidity and mortality rates in COVID-19 patients. It is important for surveillance systems to be improved and protocols to be established for the early detection and management of coinfections in COVID-19. In addition to traditional treatments, alternatives such as zinc supplementation and nanomedicine may have potential in the fight against COVID-19. It is also crucial to consider the social, labor, educational, psychological, and emotional costs of the pandemic and to address issues such as poverty and limited access to potable water in order to better prepare for future pandemics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana Dueñas
- Grupo de Investigación en Salud Integral (GISI), Departamento Facultad de Salud, Universidad Santiago de Cali, Cali 760035, Colombia
| | - Jorge Daza
- Grupo de Investigación de Salud y Movimiento, Programa de Fisioterapia, Facultad de Salud, Universidad Santiago de Cali, Cali 760035, Colombia
| | - Yamil Liscano
- Grupo de Investigación en Salud Integral (GISI), Departamento Facultad de Salud, Universidad Santiago de Cali, Cali 760035, Colombia
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Terpos E, Musto P, Engelhardt M, Delforge M, Cook G, Gay F, van de Donk NWCJ, Ntanasis-Stathopoulos I, Vangsted AJ, Driessen C, Schjesvold F, Cerchione C, Zweegman S, Hajek R, Moreau P, Einsele H, San-Miguel J, Boccadoro M, Dimopoulos MA, Sonneveld P, Ludwig H. Management of patients with multiple myeloma and COVID-19 in the post pandemic era: a consensus paper from the European Myeloma Network (EMN). Leukemia 2023:10.1038/s41375-023-01920-1. [PMID: 37142661 PMCID: PMC10157596 DOI: 10.1038/s41375-023-01920-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2023] [Revised: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 04/21/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
In the post-pandemic COVID-19 period, human activities have returned to normal and COVID-19 cases are usually mild. However, patients with multiple myeloma (MM) present an increased risk for breakthrough infections and severe COVID-19 outcomes, including hospitalization and death. The European Myeloma Network has provided an expert consensus to guide patient management in this era. Vaccination with variant-specific booster vaccines, such as the bivalent vaccine for the ancestral Wuhan strain and the Omicron BA.4/5 strains, is essential as novel strains emerge and become dominant in the community. Boosters should be administered every 6-12 months after the last vaccine shot or documented COVID-19 infection (hybrid immunity). Booster shots seem to overcome the negative effect of anti-CD38 monoclonal antibodies on humoral responses; however, anti-BCMA treatment remains an adverse predictive factor for humoral immune response. Evaluation of the immune response after vaccination may identify a particularly vulnerable subset of patients who may need additional boosters, prophylactic therapies and prevention measures. Pre-exposure prophylaxis with tixagevimab/cilgavimab is not effective against the new dominant variants and thus is no longer recommended. Oral antivirals (nirmatrelvir/ritonavir and molnupiravir) and remdesivir are effective against Omicron subvariants BA.2.12.1, BA.4, BA.5, BQ.1.1 and/or XBB.1.5 and should be administered in MM patients at the time of a positive COVID-19 test or within 5 days post symptoms onset. Convalescent plasma seems to have low value in the post-pandemic era. Prevention measures during SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks, including mask wearing and avoiding crowded places, seem prudent to continue for MM patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evangelos Terpos
- Department of Clinical Therapeutics, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
| | - Pellegrino Musto
- Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Ionian Area, "Aldo Moro" University School of Medicine, Bari, Italy
- Unit of Hematology and Stem Cell Transplantation, AOUC Policlinico, Bari, Italy
| | - Monika Engelhardt
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Interdisciplinary Cancer Center and Comprehensive Cancer Center Freiburg, University of Freiburg, Faculty of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Michel Delforge
- Department of Oncology, University Hospital Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Gordon Cook
- CRUK Clinical Trials Unit, Leeds Institute of Clinical Trial Research, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Francesca Gay
- Division of Hematology, University of Turin, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Niels W C J van de Donk
- Department of Hematology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Ioannis Ntanasis-Stathopoulos
- Department of Clinical Therapeutics, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Annette Juul Vangsted
- Department of Hematology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Christoph Driessen
- Department of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Cantonal Hospital St. Gallen, St. Gallen, Switzerland
| | - Fredrik Schjesvold
- Oslo Myeloma Center, Department of Hematology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- KG Jebsen Center for B-Cell Malignancies, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Claudio Cerchione
- Hematology Unit, IRCCS Istituto Scientifico Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) "Dino Amadori", Meldola, Italy
| | - Sonja Zweegman
- Department of Hematology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Roman Hajek
- Department of Hemato-Oncology, University Hospital Ostrava and Faculty of Medicine, University of Ostrava, Ostrava, Czech Republic
| | - Philippe Moreau
- Department of Hematology, University Hospital Hotel-Dieu, Nantes, France
| | - Hermann Einsele
- Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Jesus San-Miguel
- Cancer Center Clínica Universidad de Navarra, CCUN, Centro de Investigación Médica Aplicada, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Mario Boccadoro
- Division of Hematology, University of Turin, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Meletios A Dimopoulos
- Department of Clinical Therapeutics, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Pieter Sonneveld
- Department of Hematology, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Heinz Ludwig
- Wilhelminen Cancer Research Institute, First Department of Medicine, Center for Oncology, Hematology, and Palliative Care, Clinic Ottakring, Vienna, Austria
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Sayan M, Arikan A, Sanlidag E. Molecular Epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron Sub-Lineages Isolated from Turkish Patients Infected with COVID-19. Viruses 2023; 15:v15051066. [PMID: 37243152 DOI: 10.3390/v15051066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2023] [Revised: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 04/19/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Early detection and characterization of new variants and their impacts enable improved genomic surveillance. This study aims to evaluate the subvariant distribution of Omicron strains isolated from Turkish cases to determine the rate of antiviral resistance of RdRp and 3CLpro inhibitors. The Stanford University Coronavirus Antiviral & Resistance Database online tool was used for variant analyses of the strains uploaded to GISAID as Omicron (n = 20.959) between January 2021 and February,2023. Out of 288 different Omicron subvariants, B.1, BA.1, BA.2, BA.4, BE.1, BF.1, BM.1, BN.1, BQ.1, CK.1, CL.1, and XBB.1 were the main determined subvariants, and BA.1 (34.7%), BA.2 (30.8%), and BA.5 (23.6%) were reported most frequently. RdRp and 3CLPro-related resistance mutations were determined in n = 150, 0.72% sequences, while the rates of resistance against RdRp and 3CLpro inhibitors were reported at 0.1% and 0.6%, respectively. Mutations that were previously associated with a reduced susceptibility to remdesivir, nirmatrelvir/r, and ensitrelvir were most frequently detected in BA.2 (51.3%). The mutations detected at the highest rate were A449A/D/G/V (10.5%), T21I (10%), and L50L/F/I/V (6%). Our findings suggest that continuous monitoring of variants, due to the diversity of Omicron lineages, is necessary for global risk assessment. Although drug-resistant mutations do not pose a threat, the tracking of drug mutations will be necessary due to variant heterogenicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Murat Sayan
- PCR Unit, Research, and Education Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Kocaeli University, Kocaeli 41380, Turkey
- DESAM Research Institute, Near East University, Nicosia 99138, Cyprus
| | - Ayse Arikan
- DESAM Research Institute, Near East University, Nicosia 99138, Cyprus
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Clinical Microbiology, Near East University, Nicosia 99138, Cyprus
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Clinical Microbiology, Kyrenia University, Kyrenia 99320, Cyprus
| | - Erdal Sanlidag
- DESAM Research Institute, Near East University, Nicosia 99138, Cyprus
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