scholarly journals Short-term antibody response and tolerability after one dose of BNT162b2 vaccine in patients receiving hemodialysis: A report from the Quebec Renal Network COVID-19 study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rémi Goupil ◽  
Mehdi Benlarbi ◽  
William Beaubien-Souligny ◽  
Annie-Claire Nadeau-Fredette ◽  
Debashree Chatterjee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Humoral Response ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Infection Prevention And Control ◽  
Time Interval ◽  
Humoral Immune ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Prolonged Observation ◽  
Prevention And Control Measures ◽  
And Control

ABSTRACTBackgroundPatients receiving in-center hemodialysis (HD) are at high risk of exposure to SARS-CoV-2 with high mortality, and response to vaccination is uncertain.MethodsWe obtained serial plasma from 58 HD patients and 32 health-care workers (HCW) before and after vaccination with one dose of the BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine; as well as convalescent plasma from 11 HD patients who survived COVID-19. Anti-RBD (region binding domain of the SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein) IgG and IgM levels were measured by ELISA. Groups were stratified by evidence of prior SARS-CoV-2 infection.ResultsIn HD patients without prior SARS-CoV-2, antiRBD levels were significantly lower at 4 and 8 weeks after vaccination, compared to in HCWs after 3 weeks (p<0.001), and to convalescent plasma (p=0.002). Anti-RBD IgG was non-detectable in 29/46 (63%) of HD, compared to 1/16 (6%) of HCWs (p<0.0001). No patient with non-detectable levels at 4 weeks developed antiRBD by 8 weeks. In HD patients with prior SARS-CoV-2, mean 8-week anti-RBD IgG levels were similar to controls at 3 weeks (p=0.16), and to convalescent plasma (p=0.45). No patients reported symptoms 7 days after vaccination on a standardized questionnaire.InterpretationWhile the BNT162b2 vaccine was well-tolerated in hemodialysis patients, a single dose failed to elicit a humoral immune response in the majority of SARS-CoV-2 naïve patients even after prolonged observation. In those with prior SARS-CoV-2 infection, the humoral response after vaccination was delayed. Whether HD patients develop T-cell responses requires further study. Until then, we advise the second dose be administered to all HD patients at the recommended 3-week time interval, and that rigorous SARS-CoV-2 infection prevention and control measures be continued in dialysis units until vaccine efficacy is proven.

scholarly journals Awareness of COVID-19 Before and After Quarantine Based on Crowdsourced Data From Rabigh City, Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional and Comparative Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mai Aldhahri ◽  
Rana Alghamdi
Keyword(s):  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Infection Prevention And Control ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Second Stage ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Prevention And Control Measures ◽  
Two Stages ◽  
And Control

Background: Infection prevention and control measures are critical for the prevention of the spread of COVID-19.Aim: In this study, we aimed to measure and evaluate the level of awareness and knowledge of the prevention, symptoms, and transmission control of COVID-19 before and after quarantine among the residents of Rabigh city and adjacent villages in Saudi Arabia.Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted in two stages: the first stage took place before quarantine and the second stage took place after quarantine. The survey was filled out electronically.Results: A total of 448 participants responded and filled out the questionnaires. Females (73.70%) formed the largest number of participants for both stages. The majority of the participants were &lt;30 years old (50.90%) and had a high education level in various sectors and levels (97.1%). It was noticeable that during the first stage, the participants' awareness of COVID-19 symptoms was not very high: 13.62% did not know about the symptoms. However, by the second stage, awareness about symptoms had increased (9.6%).Conclusion: The residents of Rabigh city and the surrounding villages had good levels of knowledge about COVID-19.

scholarly journals Incidence, management and outcome of MERS CoV outbreak in a hospital, Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Prevention And Control ◽  
Infection Prevention ◽  
Rapid Response Team ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Infection Prevention And Control ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Prevention And Control Measures ◽  
And Control

Background: In August 2014, there was a striking rise in positive cases of MERS-CoV was reported at a Hospital in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia (KSA) after unprotected exposure to a MERS-CoV patient. This study aims to report the outbreak of MERS-CoV in the hospital and the response implemented. Methods: Rapid response team was activated and mobilized to the hospital. Epidemic investigation was conducted. Epidemiological data of patients and health care workers in relation to unprotected exposure was collected. Based on risk stratification, expanded surveillance among health care workers was conducted. A plan was initiated and implemented by the rapid response team in collaboration with the hospital’s stakeholders and designated staff. The plan consisted of many aspects, including case finding and management, strict adherence to infection prevention and control measures, health care education, and their implementation. This was continued for 14 days after the last laboratory confirmed results. Results: During the surveillance period, 8 HCWs (2 physicians, 6 nurses), and two patients in addition to the index case were positive to MERS CoV. One physician, a nurse and 2 patients had no direct contact with the index case. No additional cases were identified after gap identification and strict implementation of infection prevention and control measures at the hospital. Conclusions: This outbreak of MERS-CoV was contained after implementing appropriate infection prevention and control measures. Early case identification and risk stratification might have played a major role in containing the cluster. This study highlights the importance of health care workers awareness, especially those on the front lines, and their response to case definition of MERS-CoV in KSA.

scholarly journals Improving knowledge, attitudes and practice to prevent COVID-19 transmission in healthcare workers and the public in Thailand

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rapeephan R. Maude ◽  
Monnaphat Jongdeepaisal ◽  
Sumawadee Skuntaniyom ◽  
Thanomvong Muntajit ◽  
Stuart D. Blacksell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
General Public ◽  
Prevention And Control ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Infection Prevention ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Infection Prevention And Control ◽  
The Public ◽  
Educational Videos ◽  
Prevention And Control Measures ◽  
And Control

Abstract Background Key infection prevention and control measures to limit transmission of COVID-19 include social distancing, hand hygiene, use of facemasks and personal protective equipment. However, these have limited or no impact if not applied correctly through lack of knowledge, inappropriate attitude or incorrect practice. In order to maximise the impact of infection prevention and control measures on COVID-19 spread, we undertook a study to assess and improve knowledge, attitudes and practice among 119 healthcare workers and 100 general public in Thailand. The study setting was two inpatient hospitals providing COVID-19 testing and treatment. Detailed information on knowledge, attitudes and practice among the general public and healthcare workers regarding COVID-19 transmission and its prevention were obtained from a combination of questionnaires and observations. Results Knowledge of the main transmission routes, commonest symptoms and recommended prevention methods was mostly very high (> 80%) in both groups. There was lower awareness of aerosols, food and drink and pets as sources of transmission; of the correct duration for handwashing; recommended distance for social/physical distancing; and about recommended types of face coverings. Information sources most used and most trusted were the workplace, work colleagues, health workers and television. The results were used to produce a set of targeted educational videos which addressed many of these gaps with subsequent improvements on retesting in a number of areas. This included improvements in handwashing practice with an increase in the number of areas correctly washed in 65.5% of the public, and 57.9% of healthcare workers. The videos were then further optimized with feedback from participants followed by another round of retesting. Conclusions Detailed information on gaps in knowledge, attitudes and practice among the general public and healthcare workers regarding COVID-19 transmission and its prevention were obtained from a combination of questionnaires and observations. This was used to produce targeted educational videos which addressed these gaps with subsequent improvements on retesting. The resulting videos were then disseminated as a resource to aid in efforts to fight COVID-19 in Thailand and worldwide.

scholarly journals Rapid decline of neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 among infected healthcare workers

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Stéphane Marot ◽  
◽  
Isabelle Malet ◽  
Valentin Leducq ◽  
Karen Zafilaza ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Neutralizing Antibodies ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Disease Onset ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Infection Prevention And Control ◽  
Rapid Decline ◽  
Prevention And Control Measures ◽  
Few Data ◽  
Antibody Levels ◽  
And Control

AbstractThere are only few data concerning persistence of neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) among SARS-CoV-2-infected healthcare workers (HCW). These individuals are particularly exposed to SARS-CoV-2 infection and at potential risk of reinfection. We followed 26 HCW with mild COVID-19 three weeks (D21), two months (M2) and three months (M3) after the onset of symptoms. All the HCW had anti-receptor binding domain (RBD) IgA at D21, decreasing to 38.5% at M3 (p < 0.0001). Concomitantly a significant decrease in NAb titers was observed between D21 and M2 (p = 0.03) and between D21 and M3 (p < 0.0001). Here, we report that SARS-CoV-2 can elicit a NAb response correlated with anti-RBD antibody levels. However, this neutralizing activity declines, and may even be lost, in association with a decrease in systemic IgA antibody levels, from two months after disease onset. This short-lasting humoral protection supports strong recommendations to maintain infection prevention and control measures in HCW, and suggests that periodic boosts of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination may be required.

Breastfeeding During the Covid-19 Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 35 (3) ◽  
pp. 155-158
Author(s):  
JP Dadhich ◽  
Nupur Bidla
Keyword(s):  
Control Measures ◽  
Infection Prevention And Control ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Child Feeding ◽  
Young Child Feeding ◽  
Childhood Morbidity ◽  
Infant And Young Child ◽  
Prevention And Control Measures ◽  
Evidence Based Guidelines ◽  
And Control

The COVID-19 pandemic has posed a serious challenge to the lactating women to practice optimal infant and young child feeding. Although international and national agencies developed appropriate evidence-based guidelines early in the pandemic, availability of this information to the mothers and their caregivers needs to be enhanced. This becomes important in view of apprehension about the risk of a decline in breastfeeding practices during the pandemic due to various factors. Any decrease in the breastfeeding rates may lead to increased childhood morbidity, mortality, and malnutrition. This article provides a glimpse of available evidence-based guidelines on breastfeeding by Covid-19 positive mothers and attempts by the baby food industry to exploit the situation by promoting their products. The article also deals with infection prevention and control measures to be observed by the mother while caring and breastfeeding her baby and other action required to protect breastfeeding from commercial influence.

Mass SARS-CoV-2 Testing in a Dormitory-Style Correctional Facility in Arkansas

2021 ◽  
pp. e1-e10
Author(s):  
Lindsay K. Tompkins ◽  
Jayleen K. L. Gunn ◽  
Blake Cherney ◽  
Jason E. Ham ◽  
Roberta Horth ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Infection Prevention ◽  
Close Contact ◽  
Correctional Facility ◽  
Mitigation Strategies ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Infection Prevention And Control ◽  
Strict Enforcement ◽  
Prevention And Control Measures ◽  
And Control ◽  
Respiratory Specimens

Objectives. To assess SARS-CoV-2 transmission within a correctional facility and recommend mitigation strategies. Methods. From April 29 to May 15, 2020, we established the point prevalence of COVID-19 among incarcerated persons and staff within a correctional facility in Arkansas. Participants provided respiratory specimens for SARS-CoV-2 testing and completed questionnaires on symptoms and factors associated with transmission. Results. Of 1647 incarcerated persons and 128 staff tested, 30.5% of incarcerated persons (range by housing unit = 0.0%–58.2%) and 2.3% of staff tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. Among those who tested positive and responded to symptom questions (431 incarcerated persons, 3 staff), 81.2% and 33.3% were asymptomatic, respectively. Most incarcerated persons (58.0%) reported wearing cloth face coverings 8 hours or less per day, and 63.3% reported close contact with someone other than their bunkmate. Conclusions. If testing remained limited to symptomatic individuals, fewer cases would have been detected or detection would have been delayed, allowing transmission to continue. Rapid implementation of mass testing and strict enforcement of infection prevention and control measures may be needed to mitigate spread of SARS-CoV-2 in this setting. (Am J Public Health. Published online ahead of print March 18, 2021: e1–e10. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2020.306117 )

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