scholarly journals Addressing anti-syncytin antibody levels, and fertility and breastfeeding concerns, following BNT162B2 COVID-19 mRNA vaccination

Author(s):  
Citra Nurfarah Mattar ◽  
Winston Koh ◽  
Yiqi Seow ◽  
Shawn Hoon ◽  
Aparna VENKATESH ◽  
...  

Objective: To determine whether antibodies against the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein following BNT162B2 (Pfizer-BioNTech) COVID-19 mRNA vaccination cross-react with human syncytin-1 protein, and if BNT162B2 mRNA enters breast milk. Methods: In this observational cohort study of female front-line workers with no history of COVID-19 infection, we amplified BNT162B2 mRNA in plasma and breast milk and assayed anti-SARS-CoV-2 neutralising antibodies and anti-human syncytin-1 binding antibodies in plasma, at early (1-4 days) and late (4-7 weeks) time points following first-dose vaccination. Results: Fifteen consented participants (mean age 40.4 years, various ethnicities) who received at least one dose of BNT162B2, including five breast-feeding women and two women who were inadvertently vaccinated in early pregnancy, were recruited. BNT162B2 mRNA, detected by amplifying part of the spike-encoding region, was detected in plasma 1-4 days following the first dose (n=13), but not 4-5 weeks later (n=2), nor was the mRNA isolated from aqueous or lipid breast milk fractions collected 0-7 days post-vaccination (n=5). Vaccine recipients demonstrated strong SARS-CoV-2 neutralising activity by at least four weeks after the first dose (n=15), including the two pregnant women. None had placental anti-syncytin-1 binding antibodies at either time-point following vaccination. Conclusions: BNT162B2-vaccinated women did not transmit vaccine mRNA to breast milk, and did not produce a concurrent humoral response to syncytin-1, suggesting that cross-reactivity to syncytin-1 on the developing trophoblast, or other adverse effects in the breast-fed infant from vaccine mRNA ingestion, are unlikely.

Author(s):  
Jack Arnold ◽  
Kevin Winthrop ◽  
Paul Emery

Abstract The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination will be the largest vaccination programme in the history of the NHS. Patients on immunosuppressive therapy will be among the earliest to be vaccinated. Some evidence indicates immunosuppressive therapy inhibits humoral response to the influenza, pneumococcal and hepatitis B vaccines. The degree to which this will translate to impaired COVID-19 vaccine responses is unclear. Other evidence suggests withholding MTX for 2 weeks post-vaccination may improve responses. Rituximab has been shown to impair humoral responses for 6 months or longer post-administration. Decisions on withholding or interrupting immunosuppressive therapy around COVID-19 vaccination will need to be made prior to the availability of data on specific COVID-19 vaccine response in these patients. With this in mind, this article outlines the existing data on the effect of antirheumatic therapy on vaccine responses in patients with inflammatory arthritis and formulates a possible pragmatic management strategy for COVID-19 vaccination.


2016 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 597-607 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Fitzner ◽  
W. Niedbalski

Abstract Seroprevalence studies of RHDV antibodies in domestic rabbits were conducted between 2008-2014. A total of 12,169 sera from the provinces of central, southern and south-east Poland, including 7,570 samples collected from mixed-breed rabbits reared in smallholder farms and nearly 4,600 sera taken mainly from unvaccinated rabbits kept in industrial farms, were examined using ELISA tests. Additionally, cross-reactivity of selected tested and control archival sera using both classic RHDV and RHDVa antigens was determined by HI assay. The overall seroprevalence was 13.3%. In rabbits with unkown history of immunisation or RHD infection which came from small farms, RHDV antibodies were detected in 6.1% ranging between 1.0% to 17.2% of animals. In rabbits of the same group, but with a declared vaccination status, or confirmed exposure to an infectious virus, or coming from exposed females, the seroprevalence ranged from 83% to 100%. Among unvaccinated meat rabbits aged 71 to 90 days from industrial farms, low (1.85%, 4.17%, 11%), medium (34%, 54%) or high rates (98.7%) of seropositivity were detected. The seroconversion recorded in adult vaccinated females from industrial farms was 70% and 95%. Generally, the antibody levels examined by ELISAs and HI were comparable. However, a number of sera from the rabbits from small farms, as well as archival sera, showed clear differences. Several-fold differences in antibody titers, evidenced mainly in the postoutbreak sera, indictaed the contact of animals with RHDVa antigen. The overall results of the survey revealed a great proportion of seronegative rabbits potentially highly susceptible to RHD infection. In combination with the emergence of a novel pathogenic RHD virus type (RHDV2), it poses a severe risk of a next wave of fatal disease cases spreading in the native population of domestic rabbits, especially in farms with a traditional system of husbandry.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Maryam Hojjat Jodaylami ◽  
Abdelhadi Djaïleb ◽  
Pierre Ricard ◽  
Étienne Lavallée ◽  
Stella Cellier-Goethebeur ◽  
...  

AbstractSARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOCs) have emerged worldwide, with implications on the spread of the pandemic. Characterizing the cross-reactivity of antibodies against these VOCs is necessary to understand the humoral response of non-hospitalized individuals previously infected with SARS-CoV-2, a population that remains understudied. Thirty-two SARS-CoV-2-positive (PCR-confirmed) and non-hospitalized Canadian adults were enrolled 14–21 days post-diagnosis in 2020, before the emergence of the B.1.351 (also known as Beta), B.1.617.2 (Delta) and P.1 (Gamma) VOCs. Sera were collected 4 and 16 weeks post-diagnosis. Antibody levels and pseudo-neutralization of the ectodomain of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein/human ACE-2 receptor interaction were analyzed with native, B.1.351, B.1.617.2 and P.1 variant spike proteins. Despite a lower response observed for the variant spike proteins, we report evidence of a sustained humoral response against native, B.1.351, B.1.617.2 and P.1 variant spike proteins among non-hospitalized Canadian adults. Furthermore, this response inhibited the interaction between the spike proteins from the different VOCs and ACE-2 receptor for ≥ 16 weeks post-diagnosis, except for individuals aged 18–49 years who showed no inhibition of the interaction between B.1.617.1 or B.1.617.2 spike and ACE-2. Interestingly, the affinity (KD) measured between the spike proteins (native, B.1.351, B.1.617.2 and P.1) and antibodies elicited in sera of infected and vaccinated (BNT162b2 and ChAdOx1 nCoV-19) individuals was invariant. Relative to sera from vaccine-naïve (and previously infected) individuals, sera from vaccinated individuals had higher antibody levels (as measured with label-free SPR) and more efficiently inhibited the spike–ACE-2 interactions, even among individuals aged 18–49 years, showing the effectiveness of vaccination.


2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Monica Taminato ◽  
Ana Paula Cunha Chaves ◽  
Richarlisson Borges de Morais ◽  
Luiz Vinícius Leão Moreira ◽  
Danielle Dias Conte ◽  
...  

Background Health Care workers (HCW) are an important group affected by this pandemic and COVID-19 has presented substantial challenges for health professionals and health systems in many countries. The Brazilian vaccination plan implemented in October, so that third dose for HCW. However, the persistence of CoronaVac vaccine-induced immunity is unknown, and immunogenicity according to age cohorts may differ among individuals. Objective Evaluate the post vaccination immune humoral response and the relationship between post-vaccination seropositivity rates and demographic data among Healthcare Workers over 6 months after CoronaVac immunization. Methods A cross section study including Healthcare professionals vaccinated with CoronaVac for 6 months or more. The study was carried with the analysis of post-vaccination serological test to assess the levels of humoral response after vaccination. Results 329 participants were included. Among them, 76% were female. Overall, 18.5% were positive quantitative titles (IQR 42.87-125.5) and the negative group was 80%, quantitative titles (IQR 5.50-13.92). Conclusion It was possible to identify a group with positive quantitative titles in serological test for IgG antibody against the SARS-CoV-2. Further investigation is required to determine the durability of post-vaccination antibodies and how serological tests can be determine the ideal timing of vaccine booster doses.


Vaccines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (12) ◽  
pp. 1508
Author(s):  
Blanka Wolszczak-Biedrzycka ◽  
Anna Bieńkowska ◽  
Justyna Dorf

At the end of 2020, COVID-19 vaccination programs were initiated in many countries, including Poland. The first vaccine approved in Poland was the BNT162b2 mRNA preparation (Pfizer/BioNTech), and the first vaccinated group were healthcare workers. The aim of the present study was to evaluate post-vaccine antibody titers 8 months after the second vaccine dose had been administered to a group of employees of the Hospital of the Ministry of the Interior and Administration in Olsztyn (Poland). The employees were divided into two groups: persons who had COVID-19 in the fourth quarter of 2020 and were vaccinated in January–February 2021, and persons without a history of COVID-19 who were vaccinated during the same period. The analyzed material was venous blood serum collected from 100 hospital employees on 23–28 September 2021. The level of anti-SARS-CoV-2 S antibodies was measured with a Roche Cobas e411 analyzer using the electrochemiluminescence (ECLIA) method. The study demonstrated that persons with a history of SARS-CoV-2 infection had significantly higher antibody levels (taking into account gender, age, type of work performed, and severity of post-vaccination symptoms) than employees without a history of COVID-19. The study also revealed that the type of work, age, gender, and the course of SARS-CoV-2 infection can influence the humoral immune response. The presented results may prove helpful in the context of administering additional vaccine doses.


Vaccines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (8) ◽  
pp. 840
Author(s):  
Krzysztof Lukaszuk ◽  
Jolanta Kiewisz ◽  
Karolina Rozanska ◽  
Malgorzata Dabrowska ◽  
Amira Podolak ◽  
...  

Background: The introduction of the vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 infection creates the need for precise tools for the quality control of vaccination procedures, detection of poor humoral response, and estimation of the achieved protection against the disease. Thus, the study aimed to compare the results of the anti-SARS-CoV-2 tests to evaluate the application of the WHO standard unitage (the binding antibody units; BAU/mL) for a measurement of response to the vaccination. Methods: Patients undergoing vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 with Pfizer/BioNTech BNT162b2 (BNT162b2) (n = 79), referred for SARS-CoV-2 antibody measurement prior to vaccination and 21 days after dose 1, and 8, 14, and 30 days after dose 2 were included. The sera were tested with three assays: Elecsys SARS-CoV-2 S (Roche), LIAISON® SARS-CoV-2 TrimericS IgG (DiaSorin), and SARS-CoV-2 IgG II Quant (Abbott). Results: The three assays showed varying correlations at different time points in the study. The overall agreement for all samples was moderate to high (ρ = 0.663–0.902). We observed the most uniform agreement for the day of dose 2 (ρ = 0.775–0.825), while it was least consistent for day 8 (ρ = −0.131–0.693) and 14 (ρ = −0.247–0.603) after dose 2. The dynamics of changes of the SARS-CoV-2 antibody levels in patients without history of prior SARS-CoV-2 infection appears homogenous based on the Roche results, more heterogenous when considering the DiaSorin results, and in between for the Abbott results. Conclusions: The results highlight the need for further work on the international standard of measurement of SARS-CoV-2 Ig, especially in the era of vaccination. The serological assays can be useful to detect IgG/IgM antibodies to assess the response to the vaccination. However, they cannot be used interchangeably. In terms of the evaluation of the immune response to the BNT162b2 vaccine, Roche and Abbott kits appear to be more useful.


2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (28) ◽  
Author(s):  
Heli Harvala ◽  
Jennifer Mehew ◽  
Matthew L Robb ◽  
Samreen Ijaz ◽  
Steven Dicks ◽  
...  

Serological reactivity was analysed in plasma from 436 individuals with a history of disease compatible with COVID-19, including 256 who had been laboratory-confirmed with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Over 99% of laboratory-confirmed cases developed a measurable antibody response (254/256) and 88% harboured neutralising antibodies (226/256). Antibody levels declined over 3 months following diagnosis, emphasising the importance of the timing of convalescent plasma collections. Binding antibody measurements can inform selection of convalescent plasma donors with high neutralising antibody levels.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maryam Hojjat Jodaylami ◽  
Abdelhadi Djaileb ◽  
Pierre Ricard ◽  
Etienne Lavallée ◽  
Stella Cellier-Goetghebeur ◽  
...  

Abstract SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOCs) have emerged worldwide, with implications on the spread of the pandemic. Characterizing the cross-reactivity of antibodies against these VOCs is necessary to understand the humoral response of non-hospitalized individuals previously infected with SARS-CoV-2, a population that remains understudied. Thirty-two SARS-CoV-2-positive (PCR-confirmed) and non-hospitalized Canadian adults were enrolled 14-21 days post-diagnosis in 2020, before the emergence of the B.1.351 VOC (also known as Beta). Sera were collected 4 and 16 weeks post-diagnosis. Antibody levels and pseudo-neutralization of the ectodomain of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein/human ACE-2 receptor interaction were analyzed with native and B.1.351 variant spike proteins. Despite a lower response observed for the variant spike protein, we report evidence of a sustained humoral response against native and B.1.351 variant spike protein among non-hospitalized Canadian adults. Furthermore, this response inhibited the interaction between the spike protein variant of concern and ACE-2 receptor for ≥16 weeks post-diagnosis.


Biomedicine ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 39 (3) ◽  
pp. 509-512
Author(s):  
M. V. Sowmya ◽  
D. Indrani

Breast engorgement is commonly encountered in lactating mothers, it is defined as the swelling and distension of breast, usually in the early days of initiation of lactation, due to vascular dilation as well as the arrival of the milk. It is the painful overfilling of the breasts with milk. This is usually caused by an imbalance between milk supply and infant demand. Early breast fullness occurs as milk supply develops and while new born has an irregular breast-feeding routine. Then normal fullness is caused by the milk and extra blood and fluids in the breasts as body uses the extra fluids to make breast milk and if baby is not breast-fed for several days then breast engorgement can occur. Twenty four-year old mother with past medical history of hypothyroid, hypertension and she complained firmness of breast. On palpation of the breast, tenderness is present. Due to pain, firm and tenderness she was not able to feed her baby. Pain and engorgement were assessed by using visual analogue scaleand6-point self-rated engorgement scale. After one week of treatment with ultrasound therapy and taping, there was decrease in breast engorgement and pain.  


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hari Ram Choudhary ◽  
Debaprasad Parai ◽  
Girish Chandra Dash ◽  
Jaya Singh Kshatri ◽  
Narayan Mishra ◽  
...  

Abstract Rationale: Vaccine rollout in India was initiated in mid-January, 2021 and is supposed to be the only antidote against SARS-CoV-2 as of now.Objectives: To study the dynamicity of vaccine-induced IgG antibody against SARS-CoV-2.Methodology: The present cross-sectional cohort study was undertaken to determine IgG antibody among health care workers with completed dose of either Covaxin or Covishield and were followed for 24 weeks after first dose of either vaccine to record the periodic changes in titre, concentration, clinical growth and persistence of vaccine-induced SARS-CoV-2 antibodies.Results: Serum samples were collected from 614 participants during each follow-up and tested them in two CLIA-based platforms for testing SARS-CoV-2 antibodies both qualitatively and quantitatively. Among these participants, 308 (50.2%) were Covishield recipient and rest 306 (49.8%) took Covaxin. A total of 81 breakthrough cases was recorded among the cohort participants for whom infection post vaccination acted as booster. The rest 533 heath care workers without any history of post-vaccination infection showed significant antibody waning either from T3 (Covaxin recipient) or T4 (Covishield recipient).Conclusion: The clinical implications of waning antibody levels post vaccination are not well understood, and it remains crucial to establish S-antibody thresholds associated with protection against clinical outcomes.


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