Waning of SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine Effectiveness in COPD Patients: Lessons from the Delta Variant

Although the COVID-19 pandemic is profoundly changing, data on the effect of vaccination and duration of protection against infection and severe disease can still be advantageous, especially for patients with COPD, who are more vulnerable to respiratory infections. The Hungarian COVID-19 registry was retrospectively investigated for risk of infection and hospitalization by time since the last vaccination, and vaccine effectiveness (VE) was calculated in adults with COPD diagnosis and an exact-matched control group during the Delta variant of concern (VOC) wave in Hungary (September-December 2021). For the matching, sex, age, major co-morbidities, vaccination status, and prior infection data were obtained on 23 August 2021. The study population included 373,962 cases divided into COPD patients (age: 66.67 ± 12.66) and a 1:1 matched group (age: 66.73 ± 12.67). In both groups, the female/male ratio was 52.2:47.7, respectively. Among the unvaccinated, there was no difference between groups in risk for infection or hospitalization. Regarding vaccinated cases, in the COPD group, a slightly faster decline in effectiveness was noted for hospitalization prevention, although in both groups, the vaccine lost its significant effect between 215 and 240 days after the last dose of vaccination. Based on a time-stratified multivariate Cox analysis of the vaccinated cases, the hazard was constantly higher in the COPD group, with an HR of 1.09 (95%: 1.05-1.14) for infection and 1.87 (95% CI: 1.59-2.19) for hospitalization. In our study, COPD patients displayed lower vaccine effectiveness against SARS-CoV-2 infection and hospitalization but a similar waning trajectory, as vaccines lost their preventive effect after 215 days. These data emphasize revaccination measures in the COPD patient population.

The association of Greig syndrome and mastocytosis reveals the involvement of the hedgehog pathway in advanced mastocytosis

Mastocytosis is a heterogeneous disease characterized by an abnormal accumulation of mast cells (MCs) in 1 or several organs. Although a somatic KIT D816V mutation is detected in ∼85% of patients, attempts to demonstrate its oncogenic effect alone have repeatedly failed, suggesting that additional pathways are involved in MC transformation. From 3 children presenting with both Greig cephalopolysyndactyly syndrome (GCPS, Mendelian Inheritance in Man [175700]) and congenital mastocytosis, we demonstrated the involvement of the hedgehog (Hh) pathway in mastocytosis. GCPS is an extremely rare syndrome resulting from haploinsufficiency of GLI3, the major repressor of Hh family members. From these familial cases of mastocytosis, we demonstrate that the Hh pathway is barely active in normal primary MCs and is overactive in neoplastic MCs. GLI3 and KIT mutations had a synergistic, tumorigenic effect on the onset of mastocytosis in a GCPS mouse model. Finally, Hh inhibitors suppressed neoplastic MC proliferation in vitro and extend the survival time of mice with aggressive systemic mastocytosis (ASM). This work revealed, for the first time, the involvement of Hh signaling in the pathophysiology of mastocytosis and demonstrated the cooperative effects of the KIT and Hh oncogenic pathways in mice with ASM, leading to the identification of new promising therapeutic targets.

Pseudo-engelures de l’enfant et SARS-CoV-2 : quel lien ?

Introduction

L’augmentation des manifestations cutanées acrales pendant l’épidémie de SARS-CoV-2 interroge. Notre objectif était d’analyser un éventuel lien au travers de 3 tests biologiques diagnostiques SARS-CoV-2.

Matériel et méthodes

Du 08/04 au 03/06/2020 ont été inclus les enfants adressés en consultation de dermatologie pédiatrique pour des manifestations cutanées aiguës, inhabituelles chez le patient, et associées à des symptômes évocateurs de COVID-19 : signes systémiques chez l’enfant et/ou chez un parent au 1^er degré, pendant le pic épidémique de SARS-CoV-2.

Résultats

Trente patients et 37 apparentés symptomatiques au 1^er degré étaient inclus. Dix-sept patients présentaient des lésions de pseudo-engelures, survenant après des manifestations systémiques (60 %, délai moyen : 22 j). Une rémission complète était notée chez 11/17 patients dans les 10 à 50 jours. Les autres manifestations cutanées observées étaient des lésions à type de : urticaire parfois linéaire, exanthème maculo-papuleux (EMP), livédo. Parmi les 37 apparentés, des manifestations cutanées étaient observées au cours de la même période : pseudo-engelures (n = 3 ; 37 %), EMP (n = 3 ; 37 %), urticaires (n = 3 ; 37 %). Un syndrome inflammatoire était présent chez 11/30 enfants (37 %) dont 8/17 avec pseudo-engelures (47 %) : élévation de CRP et/ou élévation des concentrations de cytokines inflammatoires. Parmi les 17 patients avec pseudo-engelures, 8 avaient des concentrations sériques d’IL-1, IL-6, TNF-α ou IFN de type 1 augmentées, et ce parfois plusieurs semaines après les manifestations systémiques. Les 3 PCR nasales réalisées chez les patients symptomatiques (fièvre ou toux) étaient négatives. Parmi les 16/17 patients avec pseudo-engelures prélevés, un seul avait une sérologie SARS-CoV-2 positive (IgG, technique Abbott ARCHITECT®). Des explorations immunologiques complémentaires témoignant d’un contact direct avec le virus (dont ELISPOT®) sont en cours de vérification de résultats.

Discussion

Tous les patients, sauf un, avaient des tests négatifs pour le SARS-CoV-2. L’élévation persistante d’IL-1 et de la CRP pourrait refléter une réaction immunologique post-virale intense. Malgré l’absence de détection du SARS-CoV-2, les données épidémiologiques, les manifestations cliniques évocatrices et l’élévation des cytokines chez nos patients suggèrent un lien entre ce virus et les manifestations cutanées motivant la poursuite des explorations immunologiques.

Trends in hospitalization rates for psoriasis flares since the introduction of biologics: a time series in France between 2005 and 2015

BACKGROUND

In the late 2000s, the introduction of biologics transformed the prognosis for patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis. We hypothesized that treatment with biologics may associate with a reduction in the hospitalization rate for psoriasis flares.

OBJECTIVE

To analyse changes over time in the hospitalization rate for psoriasis flares.

METHODS

We included inpatient stays in any of nine French hospitals between 2005 and 2015 for a psoriasis flare, as documented in the national inpatient database. In two centres, we also analysed data from the individual patients' electronic medical records.

RESULTS

A total of 3572 stays were included. The introduction of biologics was not associated with a decrease in the number of hospitalizations for a psoriasis flare; on the contrary, we observed a non-significant increase in the number of hospitalizations (13 hospitalizations for psoriasis flares per quarter per 10 000 beds). In the two-centre study, the introduction of biologics was associated with a significant increase in the hospitalization of patients receiving topical treatments only (520 hospitalizations per year per 10 000 beds) and those with a first psoriasis flare.

CONCLUSION

The number of hospitalizations for a psoriasis flare tended to increase between 2005 and 2015. The availability of additional treatment options might have increased patient demand and/or broadened the indications in clinical practice.

Probable DRESS syndrome induced by IL-1 inhibitors

Interleukin (IL)-1 inhibitors have been increasingly used for treating autoinflammatory diseases during the last 10 years, but the spectrum of their possible side effects is not yet fully known. Here, we bring physicians’ attention to a new severe complication of IL-1 inhibitors, manifesting as a probable drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) in two patients.

Human service reorganization and its effects: a preliminary assessment of Florida's services integration 'experiment.'

The present discussion reports on some of the first statewide data gathering and analysis to assess the consequences of the 1975 reorganization of the Florida Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services. Two major concepts guiding the reorganization were: (1) integration of services in order to cover more adequately the needs of clients, including "multi-problem" clients, and (2) decentralization of administrative authority of all programs under a single, district-wide management structure. Despite widespread interest in the Florida system, and two previous studies, no systematic, detailed study of the impact of reorganization at the service delivery level has been conducted until now. The results of this study indicate that departmental employees perceive substantial decentralization of authority and progress toward integration of services since the 1975 reorganization. Perceived improvement in client services is also indicated. Major factors cited as influential in the change are the move toward collocation of services, the establishment of administratively interlinked service networks, and to a lesser extent, the development of generalist managers.