Attenuation of antibody titres during 3-6 months after the second dose of the BNT162b2 vaccine depends on sex, with age and smoking as risk factors for lower antibody titres at 6 months

ABSTRACTObjectiveWe aimed to determine antibody titres at 6 months and their rate of change during 3-6 months after the second dose of the BNT162b2 coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) mRNA vaccine (Pfizer/BioNTech) and to explore clinical variables associated with titres in Japan.MethodsWe enrolled 365 healthcare workers (250 women, 115 men) whose 3-month antibody titres were analyzed in our previous study and whose blood samples were collected 183 ± 15 days after the second dose. Participant characteristics collected previously were used. The relationships of these factors with antibody titres at 6 months and rates of change in antibody titres during 3-6 months were analyzed.ResultsMedian age was 44 years. Median antibody titre at 6 months was 539 U/mL. Older participants had significantly lower antibody titres (20s, 752 U/mL; 60s–70s, 365 U/mL). In age-adjusted analysis, smoking was the only factor associated with lower antibody titres. Median rate of change in antibody titres during 3-6 months was −29.4%. The only factor significantly associated with the rate of change in Ab titres was not age or smoking, but sex (women, −31.6%; men, −25.1%).ConclusionThe most important factors associated with lower antibody titres at 6 months were age and smoking, as at 3 months, probably reflecting their effect on peak antibody titres. However, antibody titres significantly attenuated during 3-6 months in women alone, which reduced the sex difference in antibody titres seen during the first 3 months. Antibody titres may be affected by different factors at different time points.

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Attenuation of Antibody Titers from 3 to 6 Months after the Second Dose of the BNT162b2 Vaccine Depends on Sex, with Age and Smoking Risk Factors for Lower Antibody Titers at 6 Months

Vaccines ◽

10.3390/vaccines9121500 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (12) ◽

pp. 1500

Author(s):

Yushi Nomura ◽

Michiru Sawahata ◽

Yosikazu Nakamura ◽

Ryousuke Koike ◽

Otohiro Katsube ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Healthcare Workers ◽

Percentage Change ◽

Median Percentage ◽

Blood Samples ◽

Time Points ◽

Factors Associated ◽

Median Percentage Change ◽

Antibody Titers ◽

Participant Characteristics

Objective: We aimed to determine antibody titers at six months and their percentage change from three to six months after the second dose of the BNT162b2 coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) mRNA vaccine (Pfizer/BioNTech) and to explore clinical variables associated with titers in Japan. Methods: We enrolled 365 healthcare workers (250 women, 115 men) whose three-month antibody titers were analyzed in our previous study and whose blood samples were collected 183 ± 15 days after the second dose. Participant characteristics, collected previously, were used. The relationships of these factors with antibody titers at six months and percentage changes in antibody titers from three to six months were analyzed. Results: Median age was 44 years. Median antibody titer at six months was 539 U/mL. Older participants had significantly lower antibody titers (20s, 752 U/mL; 60s–70s, 365 U/mL). In age-adjusted analysis, smoking was the only factor associated with lower antibody titers. Median percentage change in antibody titers from three to six months was −29.4%. The only factor significantly associated with the percentage change in Ab titers was not age or smoking, but sex (women, −31.6%; men, −25.1%). Conclusion: The most important factors associated with lower antibody titers at six months were age and smoking, as at three months, probably reflecting their effect on peak antibody titers. However, the only factor significantly associated with the attenuation in Ab titers from three to six months was sex, which reduced the sex difference seen during the first three months. Antibody titers may be affected by different factors at different time points.

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A pilot study of multilevel analysis of BDNF in paternal and maternal perinatal depression

Archives of Women s Mental Health ◽

10.1007/s00737-021-01197-2 ◽

2022 ◽

Author(s):

Sarah Kittel-Schneider ◽

Petra Davidova ◽

Miriam Kalok ◽

Corina Essel ◽

Fadia Ben Ahmed ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Pilot Study ◽

Protein Expression ◽

Perinatal Depression ◽

Perinatal Period ◽

Maternal Depressive Symptoms ◽

Blood Samples ◽

Time Points ◽

Factors Associated

AbstractDepression in the perinatal period is common in mothers worldwide. Emerging research indicates that fathers are also at risk of developing perinatal depression. However, knowledge regarding biological risk factors and pathophysiological mechanisms of perinatal depression is still scarce, particularly in fathers. It has been suggested that the neurotrophin BDNF may play a role in maternal perinatal depression; however, there is currently no data regarding paternal perinatal depression. For this pilot study, 81 expecting parents were recruited and assessed at several time points. We screened for depression using EPDS and MADRS, investigated several psychosocial variables, and took blood samples for BDNF val66met genotyping, epigenetic, and protein analysis. Between pregnancy and 12 months postpartum (pp), we found that 3.7 to 15.7% of fathers screened positive for depression, and 9.6 to 24% of mothers, with at least a twofold increased prevalence in both parents using MADRS compared with EPDS. We also identified several psychosocial factors associated with perinatal depression in both parents. The data revealed a trend that lower BDNF levels correlated with maternal depressive symptoms at 3 months pp. In the fathers, no significant correlations between BDNF and perinatal depression were found. Pregnant women demonstrated lower BDNF methylation and BDNF protein expression compared with men; however, these were found to increase postpartum. Lastly, we identified correlations between depressive symptoms and psychosocial/neurobiological factors. The data suggest that BDNF may play a role in maternal perinatal depression, but not paternal.

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Seroprevalence and risk factors associated with infection by Neospora caninum of dairy cattle in the state of Alagoas, Brazil

Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira ◽

10.1590/s0100-736x2012001000011 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 32 (10) ◽

pp. 1009-1013 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Maria E. Sousa ◽

J.N. Porto Wagnner ◽

Pedro P.F. Albuquerque ◽

Orestes L. Souza Neto ◽

Eduardo B. Faria ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Dairy Cattle ◽

Indirect Immunofluorescence ◽

Neospora Caninum ◽

Infection Risk ◽

Control Measures ◽

Risk Indicators ◽

Blood Samples ◽

Factors Associated ◽

Serological Investigation

The objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence of anti-Neospora caninum antibodies in cattle from milk producing farms of the microregion of Batalha, state of Alagoas, Brazil, as well as to identify the risk factors associated with the infection. Blood samples were collected from 1,004 cattle of 17 farms for the serological investigation regarding the presence of anti-N. caninum antibodies by the Indirect Immunofluorescence Reaction Technique (IMRT). From the total amount of samples analyzed, 77/1,004 (7.67%) were positive and 927/1,004 (92.33%) were negative. The logistical regression identified that cattle from farms without consortium breeding have an infection risk 6.33 (p<0.001; C.I. 2.89-13.10) times higher than cattle from farms with that type of breeding. Cattle from farms where the aborted fetuses are not adequately buried have an infection risk 3.04 (p<0.001; C.I. 1.64-5.63) times higher than cattle from farms with adequate destination of these fetuses. Infection by N. caninum occurs in cattle of the investigated region. The factors identified in our study can be used as risk indicators, so that control measures could be implemented to avoid infection by N. caninum in the herds of this region.

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Risk factors associated with asthma phenotypes in dental healthcare workers

American Journal of Industrial Medicine ◽

10.1002/ajim.22041 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 56 (1) ◽

pp. 90-99 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Tanusha Singh ◽

Braimoh Bello ◽

Mohamed F. Jeebhay

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Healthcare Workers ◽

Asthma Phenotypes ◽

Factors Associated

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Predictors of SARS-CoV-2 infection in a multi-ethnic cohort of United Kingdom healthcare workers: a prospective nationwide cohort study (UK-REACH)

10.1101/2021.12.16.21267934 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Christopher A Martin ◽

Daniel Pan ◽

Carl Melbourne ◽

Lucy Teece ◽

Avinash Aujayeb ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Cohort Study ◽

United Kingdom ◽

Ethnic Minority ◽

Healthcare Workers ◽

Occupational Risk ◽

Hospital Inpatient ◽

Occupational Risk Factors ◽

Occupational Factors ◽

Factors Associated

Introduction Healthcare workers (HCWs), particularly those from ethnic minority groups, have been shown to be at disproportionately higher risk of infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) compared to the general population. However, there is insufficient evidence on how demographic and occupational factors influence infection risk among ethnic minority HCWs. Methods We analysed data from the United Kingdom Research study into Ethnicity And COVID-19 Outcomes in Healthcare workers (UK-REACH) cohort study. We used logistic regression to examine associations of demographic, household and occupational predictor variables with SARS-CoV-2 infection (defined by PCR, serology or suspected COVID-19) in a diverse group of HCWs. Results 2,496 of the 10,772 HCWs (23.2%) who worked during the first UK national lockdown in March 2020 reported previous SARS-CoV-2 infection. In an adjusted model, demographic and household factors associated with increased odds of infection included younger age, living with other key workers and higher religiosity. Important occupational risk factors associated with increased odds of infection included attending to a higher number of COVID-19 positive patients (aOR 2.49, 95%CI 2.03—3.05 for ≥21 patients per week vs none), working in a nursing or midwifery role (1.35, 1.15—1.58, compared to doctors), reporting a lack of access to personal protective equipment (1.27, 1.15 — 1.41) and working in an ambulance (1.95, 1.52—2.50) or hospital inpatient setting (1.54, 1.37 — 1.74). Those who worked in Intensive Care Units were less likely to have been infected (0.76, 0.63—0.90) than those who did not. Black HCWs were more likely to have been infected than their White colleagues, an effect which attenuated after adjustment for other known predictors. Conclusions We identified key sociodemographic and occupational risk factors associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection amongst UK HCWs, and have determined factors that might contribute to a disproportionate odds of infection in HCWs from Black ethnic groups. These findings demonstrate the importance of social and occupational factors in driving ethnic disparities in COVID-19 outcomes, and should inform policies, including targeted vaccination strategies and risk assessments aimed at protecting HCWs in future waves of the COVID-19 pandemic. Trial registration: ISRCTN 11811602

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Sex differences in rates of change and burden of metabolic risk factors among adults who did and did not go on develop diabetes: two decades of follow-up from the Tehran Lipid and Glucose study

10.2337/figshare.12896726.v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Azra Ramezankhani ◽

Fereidoun Azizi ◽

Farzad Hadaegh

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Rate Of Change ◽

Activity Level ◽

Metabolic Risk Factors ◽

Individual Growth ◽

Metabolic Risk ◽

Family History Of Diabetes ◽

P Values ◽

Rates Of Change ◽

Diabetes Status

Objective: We investigated the cumulative burden and linear rates of change of major metabolic risk factors (MRFs) among Iranian adults in whom type 2 diabetes did and did not develop. Research Design and Methods: We included 7,163 participants (3,069 men) aged 20-70 years at baseline with at least three examinations during 1999-2018. Individual growth curve modeling was used for data analysis. Statistical interactions for sex by diabetes status were adjusted for age, family history of diabetes, smoking status and physical activity level. Results: Study sample included 743 (316 men) new cases of diabetes. In both men and women, compared with individuals in whom diabetes did not develop, individuals in whom diabetes developed had a higher burden of all MRFs and a greater rate of change in body mass index (BMI), fasting plasma glucose (FPG), systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP); however, the differences in burden and rate of change between those who did and did not develop diabetes were greater in women than in men. So that, during the transition to diabetes, women experienced more adverse change in BMI, FPG, triglyceride (TG) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) (diabetes-sex interaction P values <0.05), and faster rates of change in BMI, FPG, HDL-C and total cholesterol (TC) (interaction P values <0.01) and SBP (interaction P=0.055) than men. Conclusion: The greater exposure of women to and burden of MRFs before onset of diabetes may have implications for implementing sex specific strategies in order to prevent or delay diabetes complications.

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A Retrospective Survey among SARS-CoV-1 Infected Healthcare Workers after Three Years Post-Infection

Pathogens ◽

10.3390/pathogens10091078 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (9) ◽

pp. 1078

Author(s):

Szu-Wei Huang ◽

Aspiro Nayim Urbina ◽

Yi-Ming Arthur Chen ◽

Sheng-Fan Wang

Keyword(s):

Statistical Analysis ◽

Post Infection ◽

Neutralizing Antibodies ◽

Healthcare Workers ◽

Blood Samples ◽

Retrospective Survey ◽

Factors Affecting ◽

Factors Associated ◽

Neutralization Ability

Healthcare workers (HCWs) are on the frontline fighting several infectious diseases including SARS-CoV-1 and COVID-19. Coronavirus neutralizing antibodies (nAbs) were recently reported to last for a certain period. The factors affecting nAbs’ existence remain unclear. Here, we retrospectively analyzed the factors correlating with nAbs’ from SARS-CoV-1 long-term convalescence HCWs in Taiwan. One hundred and thirty SARS-CoV-1 convalescent patients were recruited between August 2006 and March 2007. Blood samples were collected to determine the anti-nucleocapsid (N) and anti-spike (S) antibodies’ existence status and neutralization ability. Neutralization ability was measured using SARS-CoV-1 pseudotyped viruses. Statistical analysis of factors associated with anti-SARS-CoV-1 antibodies’ existence status was determined using SAS software. 46.2% SARS-CoV-1 convalescent patients presented anti-N antibody after three years post-infection. Among sixty participants, ten participants co-presented anti-S antibodies. Eight participants with anti-S antibody displayed neutralization ability to SARS-CoV-1. The gender, age, and disease severity of participants did not affect the anti-N antibody existence status, whereas the anti-S antibody is significantly reduced in participants with old age (>50 years, p = 0.0434) after three years post SARS-CoV-1 infection. This study suggests that age is an important factor correlated with the duration of SARS-CoV-1 protective antibody existence status.

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Seroprevalence and risk factors associated with Neospora caninum in crossbred dairy cows in Uberlândia

Semina Ciências Agrárias ◽

10.5433/1679-0359.2018v39n4p1585 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 39 (4) ◽

pp. 1585 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Nayara Resende Nasciutti ◽

Patrícia Magalhães de Oliveira ◽

Vinícius De Morais Barbosa ◽

Selwyn Arlington Headley ◽

Felipe Gonçalves Garcia ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Dairy Cows ◽

Neospora Caninum ◽

Reproductive Disorders ◽

Blood Samples ◽

Factors Associated ◽

History Of ◽

Antibody Titers ◽

Associated Risk Factors ◽

The City

Neospora caninum causes reproductive disorders in dairy cattle such as repeat breeding, abortion, and anestrus, which are risk factors associated with the seroprevalence of N. caninum in Brazil and worldwide. This study aimed to verify the risk factors related to the seroprevalence of Neospora caninum in crossbred dairy cows in the city of Uberlândia, Minas Gerais. During, January to July 2013, 740 blood samples were collected from 57 herds with a history of reproductive disorders and determinations of antibody titers against N. caninum were obtained by ELISA assay. The seroprevalence of N. caninum was 18.4% (136/740). Risk factors for N. caninum were cows greater than 2 years of age (P = 0.034), mechanical milking (P = 0.012), and frequent purchase of animals (P = 0.004), in addition to individual history of abortion (P = 0.007) and repeat breeding (P = 0.030). The highest probability of occurrence of associated risk factors was associated with individual history of abortion and repeated breeding and the frequent purchase of animals, with odds of 12.8, 5.9, and 3.8 times, respectively. In conclusion, the risk factors associated with N. caninum: members of the female sex and cows with more than 2 years-of-age, mechanical milking, and the frequent purchase of animals, in addition to individual history of abortion and repeated breeding.

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Factors associated with the serological prevalence of Salmonella enterica in Greek finishing swineherds

Epidemiology and Infection ◽

10.1017/s0950268803008732 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 131 (1) ◽

pp. 599-606 ◽

Cited By ~ 24

Author(s):

L. S. LEONTIDES ◽

E. GRAFANAKIS ◽

C. GENIGEORGIS

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Logistic Regression ◽

Salmonella Enterica ◽

Regression Models ◽

Finishing Pigs ◽

Blood Samples ◽

Lower Odds ◽

Logistic Regression Models ◽

Factors Associated ◽

Procaine Penicillin

Blood samples were taken from 50 finishing pigs at 90–105 kg in each of 59 randomly selected farrow-to-finish herds. The sera were tested for antibodies to Salmonella enterica by the Danish mix-ELISA. Samples with an optical density of >10% were considered to be positive. Associations between the odds of seropositivity of pigs and possible risk factors were evaluated in multivariable logistic regression models. The results of the analysis indicated that pigs fed non-pelleted dry or wet ration had 11 (P=0·0004) or 9 (P=0·02) times, respectively, lower odds of seropositivity than those fed pelleted ration. The risk of seropositivity was 4 (P=0·0006) times higher in pigs fed a combination of chlortetracycline, procaine penicillin and sulphamethazine during fattening than in those fed an approved growth promotor or a probiotic.

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SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence and risk factors among oligo/asymptomatic healthcare workers(HCW): estimating the impact of community transmission

Clinical Infectious Diseases ◽

10.1093/cid/ciaa1845 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Silvia Figueiredo Costa ◽

Pedro Giavina-Bianchi ◽

Lewis Buss ◽

Carlos Henrique Mesquita Peres ◽

Mayra Matias Rafael ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Public Transport ◽

Educational Level ◽

Healthcare Workers ◽

Lower Educational Level ◽

Factors Associated ◽

Community Transmission ◽

The Impact

Abstract We evaluated the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 and risk factors among 4,987 oligo/asymptomatic HCW. The seroprevalence was 14% and factors associated with being infected with SARS-CoV-2 were lower educational level(aOR of 1.93;95%CI1.03-3.60), using public transport to work (aOR of 1.65;95%CI 1.07-2.62), and working in cleaning or security (aOR of 10.1;95%CI 3.40-26.9).

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