Background: Ivermectin has demonstrated different mechanisms of actions that could potentially protect from both COVID-19 infection and COVID-19-related comorbidities. Based on the existing literature and safety profile of ivermectin, a citywide program of prophylactic use of ivermectin for COVID-19 was implemented in Itajai, a Southern city in Brazil in the state of Santa Catarina. The… Continue reading Ivermectin prophylaxis used for COVID-19 reduces COVID-19 infection and mortality rates: A 220,517-subject, populational-level retrospective citywide
Category: Infectivology
Intranasal priming induces local lung-resident B cell populations that secrete protective mucosal antiviral IgA
Flu defense via lung-resident IgA+ memory B cellsSecretory IgA antibody is known to be a key effector molecule in establishing effective antiviral immunity in the lungs, but the specific cell types producing this mucosal IgA and their physical locations are unclear. Oh et al. analyzed pulmonary IgA-secreting cells in mice after prior influenza infection or… Continue reading Intranasal priming induces local lung-resident B cell populations that secrete protective mucosal antiviral IgA
Increased risk of infection with SARS-CoV-2 Beta, Gamma, and Delta variant compared to Alpha variant in vaccinated individuals
The extent to which severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants of concern (VOC) break through infection- or vaccine-induced immunity is not well understood. Here, we analyze 28,578 sequenced SARS-CoV-2 samples from individuals with known immune status obtained through national community testing in the Netherlands from March to August 2021. We find evidence for… Continue reading Increased risk of infection with SARS-CoV-2 Beta, Gamma, and Delta variant compared to Alpha variant in vaccinated individuals
The evolution of the mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2 evolution revealing vaccine-resistant mutations in Europe and America
The importance of understanding SARS-CoV-2 evolution cannot be overemphasized. Recent studies confirm that natural selection is the dominating mechanism of SARS-CoV-2 evolution, which favors mutations that strengthen viral infectivity. We demonstrate that vaccine-breakthrough or antibody-resistant mutations provide a new mechanism of viral evolution. Specifically, vaccine-resistant mutation Y449S in the spike (S) protein receptor-bonding domain (RBD),… Continue reading The evolution of the mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2 evolution revealing vaccine-resistant mutations in Europe and America
Risk of rapid evolutionary escape from biomedical interventions targeting SARS-CoV-2 spike protein
The spike protein receptor-binding domain (RBD) of SARS-CoV-2 is the molecular target for many vaccines and antibody-based prophylactics aimed at bringing COVID-19 under control. Such a narrow molecular focus raises the specter of viral immune evasion as a potential failure mode for these biomedical interventions. With the emergence of new strains of SARS-CoV-2 with altered… Continue reading Risk of rapid evolutionary escape from biomedical interventions targeting SARS-CoV-2 spike protein
Risk factors for developing COVID-19: a population-based longitudinal study (COVIDENCE UK)
Risk factors for severe COVID-19 include older age, male sex, obesity, black or Asian ethnicity and underlying medical conditions. Whether these factors also influence susceptibility to developing COVID-19 is uncertain. Methods We undertook a prospective, population-based cohort study (COVIDENCE UK) from 1 May 2020 to 5 February 2021. Baseline information on potential risk factors was… Continue reading Risk factors for developing COVID-19: a population-based longitudinal study (COVIDENCE UK)
COVID-19 vaccination and menstrual cycle changes: A United Kingdom (UK) retrospective case-control study
There has been increasing public concern that COVID-19 vaccines cause menstrual cycle disturbances, yet there is currently limited data to evaluate the impact of vaccination on menstrual health. Our objectives were (1) to evaluate the prevalence of menstrual changes following vaccination against COVID-19, (2) to test potential risk factors for any such changes, and (3)… Continue reading COVID-19 vaccination and menstrual cycle changes: A United Kingdom (UK) retrospective case-control study
Myocarditis and Pericarditis following COVID-19 Vaccination: Inequalities in Age and Vaccine Types
An increasing number of myocarditis/pericarditis incidences has been reported after coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) vaccination in adolescents and young adults. This study was designed to investigate the incidence rate of—and risk for—myocarditis and pericarditis following COVID-19 vaccination in the United States according to age and vaccine type. This study used the Vaccine Adverse Events Reporting System… Continue reading Myocarditis and Pericarditis following COVID-19 Vaccination: Inequalities in Age and Vaccine Types
Multifactorial seroprofiling dissects the contribution of pre-existing human coronaviruses responses to SARS-CoV-2 immunity
Determination of SARS-CoV-2 antibody responses in the context of pre-existing immunity to circulating human coronavirus (HCoV) is critical for understanding protective immunity. Here we perform a multifactorial analysis of SARS-CoV-2 and HCoV antibody responses in pre-pandemic (N = 825) and SARS-CoV-2-infected donors (N = 389) using a custom-designed multiplex ABCORA assay. ABCORA seroprofiling, when combined with computational modeling, enables… Continue reading Multifactorial seroprofiling dissects the contribution of pre-existing human coronaviruses responses to SARS-CoV-2 immunity
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