scholarly journals Detection of antibodies to the SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein in both serum and saliva enhances detection of infection

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sian E. Faustini ◽  
Sian E. Jossi ◽  
Marisol Perez-Toledo ◽  
Adrian M. Shields ◽  
Joel D. Allen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Severe Disease ◽  
Hospitalized Patients ◽  
Antibody Responses ◽  
Spike Glycoprotein ◽  
Mild Disease ◽  
Antibody Assays ◽  
Gates Foundation ◽  
Asymptomatic Individuals ◽  
The University

AbstractBackgroundDetecting antibody responses during and after SARS-CoV-2 infection is essential in determining the seroepidemiology of the virus and the potential role of antibody in disease. Scalable, sensitive and specific serological assays are essential to this process. The detection of antibody in hospitalized patients with severe disease has proven straightforward; detecting responses in subjects with mild disease and asymptomatic infections has proven less reliable. We hypothesized that the suboptimal sensitivity of antibody assays and the compartmentalization of the antibody response may contribute to this effect.MethodsWe systemically developed an ELISA assay, optimising different antigens and amplification steps, in serum and saliva from symptomatic and asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2-infected subjects.ResultsUsing trimeric spike glycoprotein, rather than nucleocapsid enabled detection of responses in individuals with low antibody responses. IgG1 and IgG3 predominate to both antigens, but more anti-spike IgG1 than IgG3 was detectable. All antigens were effective for detecting responses in hospitalized patients. Anti-spike, but not nucleocapsid, IgG, IgA and IgM antibody responses were readily detectable in saliva from non-hospitalized symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals. Antibody responses in saliva and serum were largely independent of each other and symptom reporting.ConclusionsDetecting antibody responses in both saliva and serum is optimal for determining virus exposure and understanding immune responses after SARS-CoV-2 infection.FundingThis work was funded by the University of Birmingham, the National Institute for Health Research (UK), the NIH National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Diseases, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the University of Southampton.

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

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 407
Author(s):  
Ourania S. Kotsiou ◽  
Dimitrios Papagiannis ◽  
Evangelos C. Fradelos ◽  
Dimitra I. Siachpazidou ◽  
Garifallia Perlepe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Immune Response ◽  
Antibody Response ◽  
Severe Disease ◽  
Vaccination Status ◽  
Antibody Responses ◽  
Antibody Testing ◽  
Mild Disease ◽  
Antibody Titers ◽  
Humoral Responses ◽  
Pandemic Wave

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 and 27% of participants were both previously infected and vaccinated. 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

scholarly journals Role of high-dose exposure in transmission hot zones as a driver of SARS-CoV2 dynamics

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dominik Wodarz ◽  
Natalia L. Komarova ◽  
Luis M. Schang
Keyword(s):  
Severe Disease ◽  
Epidemiological Data ◽  
High Dose ◽  
Infection Prevalence ◽  
Targeted Interventions ◽  
Mild Disease ◽  
Successful Infection ◽  
Hot Zone ◽  
Infection Spread

AbstractEpidemiological data on the spread of SARS-CoV-2 in the absence and presence of various non-pharmaceutical interventions indicate that the virus is not transmitted uniformly in the population. Transmission tends to be more effective in select settings that involve exposure to relatively high viral dose, such as in crowded indoor settings, assisted living facilities, prisons, or food processing plants. To explore the effect on infection dynamics, we describe a new mathematical model where transmission can occur (i) in the community at large, characterized by low dose exposure and mostly mild disease, and (ii) in so called transmission hot zones, characterized by high dose exposure that can be associated with more severe disease. Interestingly, we find that successful infection spread can hinge upon high-dose hot zone transmission, yet the majority of infections are predicted to occur in the community at large with mild disease. This gives rise to the prediction that targeted interventions that specifically reduce virus transmission in the hot zones (but not in the community at large) have the potential to suppress overall infection spread, including in the community at large. The model can further reconcile seemingly contradicting epidemiological observations. While in some locations like California, strict stay-home orders failed to significantly reduce infection prevalence, in other locations, such as New York and several European countries, stay-home orders lead to a pronounced fall in infection levels, which remained suppressed for some months after re-opening of society. Differences in hot zone transmission levels during and after social distancing interventions can account for these diverging infection patterns. These modeling results warrant further epidemiological investigations into the role of high dose hot zone transmission for the maintenance of SARS-CoV-2 spread.

scholarly journals Limited intestinal inflammation despite diarrhea, fecal viral RNA and SARS-CoV-2-specific IgA in patients with acute COVID-19

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Graham J. Britton ◽  
Alice Chen-Liaw ◽  
Francesca Cossarini ◽  
Alexandra E. Livanos ◽  
Matthew P. Spindler ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Immune Response ◽  
Immune System ◽  
Gastrointestinal Tract ◽  
Inflammatory Markers ◽  
Intestinal Inflammation ◽  
Severe Disease ◽  
Antibody Responses ◽  
Viral Rna ◽  
Microbiome Composition

AbstractWe sought to characterize the role of the gastrointestinal immune system in the pathogenesis of the inflammatory response associated with COVID-19. We measured cytokines, inflammatory markers, viral RNA, microbiome composition and antibody responses in stool from a cohort of 44 hospitalized COVID-19 patients. SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected in stool of 41% of patients and more frequently in patients with diarrhea. Patients who survived had lower fecal viral RNA than those who died. Strains isolated from stool and nasopharynx of an individual were the same. Compared to uninfected controls, COVID-19 patients had higher fecal levels of IL-8 and lower levels of fecal IL-10. Stool IL-23 was higher in patients with more severe COVID-19 disease, and we found evidence of intestinal virus-specific IgA responses associated with more severe disease. We provide evidence for an ongoing humeral immune response to SARS-CoV-2 in the gastrointestinal tract, but little evidence of overt inflammation.

scholarly journals Antibody kinetics and clinical course of COVID-19 a prospective observational study

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. e0248918
Author(s):  
Anna Bläckberg ◽  
Nils Fernström ◽  
Emma Sarbrant ◽  
Magnus Rasmussen ◽  
Torgny Sunnerhagen
Keyword(s):  
Observational Study ◽  
Prospective Observational Study ◽  
Severe Disease ◽  
Antibody Responses ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
Spike Protein ◽  
Serological Response ◽  
Igg Antibody ◽  
Mild Disease ◽  
Antibody Levels

Background Serological response and association to clinical manifestation is important for understanding the pathogenesis of COVID-19. Materials and methods A prospective observational study was conducted where antibody responses of IgG and IgA towards SARS-CoV-2 spike protein were studied over time in patients with COVID-19. Possible associations between antibody titers and outcome were analyzed. Results Forty patients with COVID-19, hospitalized at Skåne University hospital, Sweden, between April and June 2020 were included. IgG antibody responses were detected for all patients with the highest levels four weeks after COVID-19 diagnosis. Levels of IgA were generally higher at diagnosis and decreased towards baseline 4 weeks after confirmed COVID-19. Patients with severe COVID-19 had higher levels of antibodies directed against SARS-CoV-2 spike protein compared with patients with mild disease. Conclusion IgG and IgA antibodies towards the spike protein follow different kinetics during COVID-19 and patients with severe disease develop higher antibody levels.

scholarly journals Low Sensitivity of Admission Lung US Compared to Chest CT for Diagnosis of Lung Involvement in a Cohort of 82 Patients with COVID-19 Pneumonia

Medicina ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 57 (3) ◽  
pp. 236
Author(s):  
Carla Maria Irene Quarato ◽  
Antonio Mirijello ◽  
Donato Lacedonia ◽  
Raffaele Russo ◽  
Michele Maria Maggi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Severe Disease ◽  
Chest Ct ◽  
Nasopharyngeal Swab ◽  
Lung Involvement ◽  
Reference Standard ◽  
Mild Disease ◽  
Imaging Tool ◽  
Moderate Disease ◽  
Low Sensitivity

Background and Objectives: The potential role of lung ultrasound (LUS) in characterizing lung involvement in Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is still debated. The aim of the study was to estimate sensitivity of admission LUS for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 lung involvement using Chest-CT (Computed Tomography) as reference standard in order to assess LUS usefulness in ruling out COVID-19 pneumonia in the Emergency Department (ED). Methods: Eighty-two patients with confirmed COVID-19 and signs of lung involvement on Chest-CT were consecutively admitted to our hospital and recruited in the study. Chest-CT and LUS examination were concurrently performed within the first 6–12h from admission. Sensitivity of LUS was calculated using CT findings as a reference standard. Results: Global LUS sensitivity in detecting COVID-19 pulmonary lesions was 52%. LUS sensitivity ranged from 8% in case of focal and sporadic ground-glass opacities (mild disease), to 52% for a crazy-paving pattern (moderate disease) and up to 100% in case of extensive subpleural consolidations (severe disease), although LUS was not always able to detect all the consolidations assessed at Chest-CT. LUS sensitivity was higher in detecting a typical Chest-CT pattern (60%) and abnormalities showing a middle-lower zone predominance (79%). Conclusions: As admission LUS may result falsely negative in most cases, it should not be considered as a reliable imaging tool in ruling out COVID-19 pneumonia in patients presenting in ED. It may at least represent an expanded clinical evaluation that needs integration with other diagnostic tests (e.g., nasopharyngeal swab, Chest-CT).

scholarly journals Severe COVID-19 in pediatric age: an update on the role of the anti-rheumatic agents

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Giorgio Costagliola ◽  
Erika Spada ◽  
Rita Consolini
Keyword(s):  
Severe Disease ◽  
Severe Form ◽  
Mild Disease ◽  
Drug Choice ◽  
Limited Experience ◽  
Immune Impairment ◽  
Systemic Manifestations ◽  
Potential Improvement ◽  
Disease Stages

Abstract Background SARS-CoV-2 can induce an immune impairment and dysregulation, finally resulting in the massive release of inflammatory mediators (cytokine storm), strongly contributing to the pulmonary and systemic manifestations in severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). As a consequence, different drugs active on the immune system have been proposed for the treatment of the disease in adults. Role of the anti-rheumatic agents in children Children are more likely to develop a mild disease course, as the severe form of COVID-19 is identified in less than 5% of the pediatric patients. Moreover, in children a peculiar disease phenotype, defined as multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) is observed, representing the most severe expression of the inflammatory dysregulation caused by SARS-CoV-2. The limited experience with the severe pediatric COVID-19 and MIS-C does not allow conclusions about the role of the immune pharmacological approach, and therefore the treatment of these conditions represents a considerable clinical challenge. The use of chloroquine, hydroxychloroquine, and colchicine in the early disease stages is not sufficiently supported by evidence, and there is an increasing interest in the role of biologic agents, including anti-IL-1 and anti-IL-6 agents, in the prevention and treatment of the severe manifestations of COVID-19. Conclusion The therapeutic approach to pediatric COVID-19 is multidisciplinary, and anti-rheumatic agents have a prominent role in severe disease. This paper reviews the rationale for the use of anti-rheumatic agents in pediatric COVID-19 and MIS-C and the clinical experience with the single drugs. Finally, the areas of potential improvement in the use of anti-rheumatic agents, including the optimization of the drug choice and the timing of administration, are discussed.

scholarly journals Early and Strong Antibody Responses to SARS-CoV-2 Predict Disease Severity in COVID-19 Patients

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jānis Plūme ◽  
Artis Galvanovskis ◽  
Sindija Šmite ◽  
Nadezda Romanchikova ◽  
Pawel Zayakin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Activation ◽  
Severe Disease ◽  
Prognostic Significance ◽  
Serum Levels ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Antibody Responses ◽  
Mast Cell Activation ◽  
N Protein ◽  
Mild Disease ◽  
Severity Of The Disease

Abstract Background Antibody response to SARS-CoV-2 is a valuable biomarker for the assessment of the spread of the virus in a population and evaluation of the vaccine candidates. Recent data suggest that antibody levels also may have a prognostic significance in COVID-19. Most of the serological studies so far rely on testing antibodies against spike (S) or nucleocapsid (N) protein, however antibodies can be directed against other structural and nonstructural proteins of the virus, whereas their frequency, biological and clinical significance is unknown. Methods A novel antigen array comprising 30 SARS-CoV-2 antigens or their fragments was developed and used to examine IgG, IgA, IgE and IgM responses to SARS-CoV-2 in sera from 103 patients with COVID-19 including 34 patients for whom sequential samples were available, and 20 pre-pandemic healthy controls. Results Antibody responses to various antigens are highly correlated and the frequencies and peak levels of antibodies are higher in patients with severe/moderate disease than in those with mild disease. This finding supports the idea that antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 may exacerbate the severity of the disease via antibody-dependent enhancement. Moreover, early IgG and IgA responses to full length S protein may be used as an additional biomarker for the identification of patients who are at risk of developing severe disease. Importantly, this is the first study reporting that SARS-CoV-2 elicits IgE responses and their serum levels positively correlate with the severity of the disease thus suggesting a link between high levels of antibodies and mast cell activation. Conclusions This is the first study assessing the prevalence and dynamics IgG, IgA, IgE and IgM responses to multiple SARS-CoV-2 antigens simultaneously. Results provide important insights into the pathogenesis of COVID-19 and have implications in planning and interpreting antibody-based epidemiological studies.

MATERIAL HANDLING MACHINES AND SYSTEMS – UMI-TWINN PROJECT CONTRIBUTION

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 7-20
Author(s):  
Péter Telek ◽  
Béla Illés ◽  
Christian Landschützer ◽  
Fabian Schenk ◽  
Flavien Massi
Keyword(s):  
Material Handling ◽  
Digital Data ◽  
Flow Process ◽  
Research Directions ◽  
Scientific Excellence ◽  
Research Activities ◽  
New Research ◽  
Eu Project ◽  
The University

Nowadays, the Industry 4.0 concept affects every area of the industrial, economic, social and personal sectors. The most significant changings are the automation and the digitalization. This is also true for the material handling processes, where the handling systems use more and more automated machines; planning, operation and optimization of different logistic processes are based on many digital data collected from the material flow process. However, new methods and devices require new solutions which define new research directions. In this paper we describe the state of the art of the material handling researches and draw the role of the UMi-TWINN partner institutes in these fields. As a result of this H2020 EU project, scientific excellence of the University of Miskolc can be increased and new research activities will be started.

Tertiary English-majored Students’ Perceptions toward the Role of Pronunciation in English Language Learning and their Practicing Strategies

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 264-279
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
English Language ◽  
Vital Role ◽  
English Language Learning ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Efl Learners ◽  
The University

Accurate pronunciation has a vital role in English language learning as it can help learners to avoid misunderstanding in communication. However, EFL learners in many contexts, especially at the University of Phan Thiet, still encounter many difficulties in pronouncing English correctly. Therefore, this study endeavors to explore English-majored students’ perceptions towards the role of pronunciation in English language learning and examine their pronunciation practicing strategies (PPS). It involved 155 English-majored students at the University of Phan Thiet who answered closed-ended questionnaires and 18 English-majored students who participated in semi-structured interviews. The findings revealed that students strongly believed in the important role of pronunciation in English language learning; however, they sometimes employed PPS for their pronunciation improvement. Furthermore, the results showed that participants tended to use naturalistic practicing strategies and formal practicing strategies with sounds, but they overlooked strategies such as asking for help and cooperating with peers. Such findings could contribute further to the understanding of how students perceive the role of pronunciation and their PPS use in the research’s context and other similar ones. Received 10th June 2019; Revised 12th March 2020; Accepted 12th April 2020

Authority of Law: An Analysis of The Role of Police

2017 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
Author(s):  
Veronika Keir
Keyword(s):  
Policy Development ◽  
Crime Control ◽  
Legal Theory ◽  
Research Policy ◽  
Further Education ◽  
Full Time ◽  
Legal Research ◽  
Legal Studies ◽  
The University

<div class="page" title="Page 3"><div class="layoutArea"><div class="column"><p><span>Veronika is a recent graduate from the Honours Legal Studies program at the University of Waterloo. Her passions are socio-legal research, policy development, feminist legal theory, and crime control development. Veronika is currently working a full-time job at Oracle Canada, planning on pursuing further education in a Masters program. </span></p></div></div></div>

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