scholarly journals Measurement of antibody levels in patients with COVID-19 over time by immunofluorescence assay: a longitudinal observational study

2022 ◽  
Vol 50 (1) ◽  
pp. 030006052110692
Author(s):  
Betul Borku Uysal ◽  
Serap Yavuzer ◽  
Mehmet Sami Islamoglu ◽  
Mahir Cengiz
Keyword(s):  
Immunofluorescence Assay ◽  
Chain Reaction ◽  
Longitudinal Observational Study ◽  
Antibody Positivity ◽  
Antibody Titers ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Polymerase Chain ◽  
Antibody Levels ◽  
Serum Igg Levels ◽  
Over Time

Background During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, antibody screening is a critical tool to assess anti-severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) immunity. We examined variation in antibody titers associated with age and sex among patients with confirmed COVID-19. Methods Blood IgG levels were tested in 1081 patients with positive SARS-CoV-2 quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) tests between 1 September and 31 December 2020. Patients who did not experience reinfection were identified. Serum IgG levels were measured by immunofluorescence assay. Antibody positivity and antibody titers were analyzed according to time since infection, sex, and age. Results The mean (standard deviation) age was 41.2 (14.2) years and 41.2% of patients were women. The lowest antibody positivity rate between the first and ninth month post-infection was detected in the sixth month. The lowest antibody titers among patients aged 20 to 80 years occurred in those aged 30 to 39 years. The IgG titer was positively correlated with age in years (r = 0.125) and decades (r = 0.126). Conclusions Six months after infection, anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody titers increased. Anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody titers also increased with age. Immunity and pathogenicity should be investigated in addition to antibody positivity rates and antibody titers.

scholarly journals Xuezhikang Therapy Increases miR-33 Expression in Patients with Low HDL-C Levels

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruihua Cao ◽  
Yongyi Bai ◽  
Lan Sun ◽  
Jin Zheng ◽  
Mian Zu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hdl Cholesterol ◽  
Pcr Analysis ◽  
Chain Reaction ◽  
Low Hdl ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Polymerase Chain ◽  
Baseline Levels ◽  
Hdl Metabolism ◽  
To Receive ◽  
Plasma Mirnas

Background. MicroRNA-33a and -b (miR-33a/b) have been revealed to be posttranscriptional regulators of HDL metabolism. Xuezhikang (XZK) is a marked natural HDL-raising polypill. We aim to evaluate the effects of XZK on the expression of circulating miR-33a/b in patients with low plasma HDL-C levels.Methods. A total of 42 participating patients with low baseline levels of HDL cholesterol were assigned to receive an XZK capsule, 600 mg twice daily for 6 months. The expression of circulating miR-33a/b was detected at baseline and after XZK therapy measured with quantitative reverse-transcription (RT) polymerase chain reaction (PCR).Results. The mean (SD) HDL-C level after XZK treatment was 1.19 (0.13) mmol/L, representing an increase of 11.2% from baseline (P<0.001). Q-PCR analysis of plasma miRNAs revealed an increase in relative miR-33a/b expression with XZK treatment. The miR-33a expression was raised from 0.81 to 1.73 (P=0.012); miR-33b expression was increased from 1.2 to 2.75 (P<0.001). The changes of miR-33a and miR-33b were inversely related to the posttreatment LDL-C levels (r=-0.37,P=0.019;r=-0.33,P=0.035, resp.).Conclusion. In patients with low HDL-C levels, XZK therapy raised plasma levels of miR-33a and miR-33b, which may inhibit cellular cholesterol export and limit the HDL-raising effect of XZK.

scholarly journals An Investigation into the Estimation of a Positive Case of COVID-19: A Comparative Study between Two Phases of the Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 85-95
Author(s):  
Yasuyuki Yamaoka ◽  
Hiroko Oe
Keyword(s):  
Insurance Coverage ◽  
Health Insurance Coverage ◽  
Multiple Regression Model ◽  
Unexpected Result ◽  
Actual Number ◽  
Chain Reaction ◽  
Polymerase Chain ◽  
Two Phases ◽  
Positive Results ◽  
Over Time

In Japan, the policy for polymerase chain reaction (hereafter PCR) testing changed significantly after 7 May 2020; from 4 February to 6 May, PCR testing was limited to certain patients with severe symptoms. After 7 May, the PCR test was made available to a broader range of patients due to health insurance coverage. The study aims to test whether there is a significant relationship between the conditions under which PCR tests are performed, the number of tests after 7 May, and the positive results. Using a multiple regression model, we obtained the unexpected result even if we assume that PCR testing had been carried out during 4 February to 6 May at the same level as after 7 May. The number of positive cases would have been even lower than the actual number, which we have attained. This suggests that even if PCR testing had been plentiful throughout the entire period, the number of positives that would have been captured would not necessarily have been more significant than the actual number. This estimation might suggest that the infectivity of COVID-19 varied over time. It may suggest that, over time, the infectiousness and spreading power of COVID may be transformed. Therefore, further research investigating the epidemic impact of COVID is required, which is critical for humankind.

scholarly journals What Is the Predictive Value of a Single Nasopharyngeal SARS-CoV-2 PCR Swab Test in a Patient With COVID-Like Symptoms and/or Significant COVID-19 Exposure?

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (10) ◽  
Author(s):  
Blessen George ◽  
James McGee ◽  
Eileen Giangrasso ◽  
Sheila Finkelstein ◽  
Susan Wu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Polymerase Chain Reaction ◽  
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ◽  
Predictive Value ◽  
Hospital Workers ◽  
Chain Reaction ◽  
Pcr Screening ◽  
Test Characteristics ◽  
Antibody Titers ◽  
Polymerase Chain ◽  
Pcr Test

Abstract Utilizing results of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing and subsequent antibody titers, we report on the test characteristics of a PCR screening test for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 among hospital workers. The PCR test was found to be 87% sensitive and 97% specific, with a positive predictive value of 0.98 and a negative predictive value of 0.80.

scholarly journals Epistaxis as a marker for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 status – a prospective study

2020 ◽  
Vol 134 (8) ◽  
pp. 717-720 ◽  
Author(s):  
MH Hussain ◽  
M Mair ◽  
P Rea
Keyword(s):  
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ◽  
Prospective Study ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Study Group ◽  
Chain Reaction ◽  
Polymerase Chain Reaction Testing ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Polymerase Chain ◽  
The Difference ◽  
A Prospective Study

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate the prevalence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 infection in patients presenting with epistaxis to a tertiary otolaryngology unit.MethodsA prospective study was conducted of 40 consecutive patients presenting with epistaxis referred to our tertiary otolaryngology unit. A group of 40 age-matched controls were also included. All patients underwent real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction testing for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2. Symptoms of fever, cough and anosmia were noted in the study group.ResultsThe mean age was 66.5 ± 22.4 years in the study group. There were 22 males (55 per cent) and 18 females (45 per cent). The mean age in the control group was 66.3 ± 22.4 years (p = 0.935). There were six positive cases for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (15 per cent) in the epistaxis group and one case (2.5 per cent) in the control group. The difference was statistically significant (p = 0.05).ConclusionEpistaxis may represent a presenting symptom of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 infection. This may serve as a useful additional criterion for screening patients.

Seizures as a Consequence of Hyperviscosity Syndrome in Two Dogs Naturally Infected with Leishmania infantum

2016 ◽  
Vol 52 (2) ◽  
pp. 119-123 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniela Proverbio ◽  
Eva Spada ◽  
Roberta Perego ◽  
Giada Bagnagatti de Giorgi
Keyword(s):  
Monoclonal Gammopathy ◽  
Conventional Polymerase Chain Reaction ◽  
Immunofluorescence Assay ◽  
Canine Leishmaniasis ◽  
Chain Reaction ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Hyperviscosity Syndrome ◽  
Clinical Presentations ◽  
Polymerase Chain ◽  
Clinical Complaint

Serum hyperviscosity syndrome (HVS) was documented in two dogs with canine leishmaniasis (CanL) and seizures as the major clinical complaint. In both cases, laboratory abnormalities included mild non-regenerative anemia, thrombocytopenia, hypoalbuminemia, hyperproteinemia with monoclonal gammopathy, and marked serum hyperviscosity. CanL was diagnosed using cytology in one case and indirect immunofluorescence assay and conventional polymerase chain reaction in the second. Specific therapy with meglumine antimoniate and allopurinolc led to short-term remission in both dogs and normalization of serum viscosity. Although dogs rarely develop HVS, it should be suspected if hyperproteinemia and monoclonal gammopathy are present. Since CanL manifests with a variety of clinical presentations, including seizures resulting from HVS-induced central nervous system hypoxia, it should also be considered as a differential diagnosis in animals with seizures as a primary presenting sign.

Clinical Relevance of Annual Screening Using a Commercial Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (SNAP 3Dx) for Canine Ehrlichiosis

2009 ◽  
Vol 45 (3) ◽  
pp. 118-124 ◽  
Author(s):  
Barbara C. Hegarty ◽  
Pedro Paulo Vissotto de Paiva Diniz ◽  
Julie M. Bradley ◽  
Leif Lorentzen ◽  
Edward Breitschwerdt
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Relevance ◽  
Deoxyribonucleic Acid ◽  
Immunofluorescence Assay ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Active Infection ◽  
Chain Reaction ◽  
Canine Ehrlichiosis ◽  
Annual Screening ◽  
Polymerase Chain ◽  
Positive Results

Eighty-six dogs were selected based upon Ehrlichia (E.) canis SNAP 3Dx positive results to determine clinical relevance of annual E. canis screening. Immunofluorescence assay showed 72 (84%) of 86 dogs were seroreactive for E. canis. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) revealed that 12 (14%) of 86 dogs had Ehrlichia deoxyribonucleic acid; seven had E. canis, four had E. ewingii, and one was coinfected with E. chaffeensis and E. ewingii. Thrombocytopenia (&lt;164,000 platelets/μL) was found in 28 (39%) of 72 dogs. In this study, thrombocytopenia was frequently detected in healthy Ehrlichia SNAP 3Dx-positive dogs, whereas active infection was infrequently confirmed by PCR. Therefore, treatment based upon screening results alone is not recommended.

Analysis of clonotypic switch junctions reveals multiple myeloma originates from a single class switch event with ongoing mutation in the isotype-switched progeny

Blood ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 112 (5) ◽  
pp. 1894-1903 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian J. Taylor ◽  
Jitra Kriangkum ◽  
Julie A. Pittman ◽  
Michael J. Mant ◽  
Tony Reiman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Myeloma ◽  
Polymerase Chain Reaction ◽  
Heavy Chain ◽  
Plasma Cells ◽  
Chain Reaction ◽  
Single Class ◽  
Intronic Enhancer ◽  
Class Switch ◽  
Polymerase Chain ◽  
Over Time

Abstract Multiple myeloma (MM) is a cancer of plasma cells (PCs) expressing immunoglobulin heavy chain (IgH) postswitch isotypes. The discovery of earlier stage cells related to postswitch PCs, called preswitch clonotypic IgM (cIgM) cells led to the hypothesis that cIgM cells may be MM progenitors, replenishing the tumor throughout malignancy. cIgM cells may do this by undergoing class switch recombination (CSR), a process detectable in postswitch PCs as multiple IgH switch junctions associated with a single clonotypic IgH V/D/J. We addressed this with a specific clonotypic-switch polymerase chain reaction (PCR), informative for 32 of 41 cases. Here we made 2 significant discoveries: (1) in all cases, we detected only a single clonotypic switch fragment that persists over time (1-7.6 years), and (2) we detected ongoing mutation upstream of the switch junction in 5 of 6 patients, often targeting the intronic enhancer, a key control region in IgH expression. The presence of a single, unchanging clonotypic switch junction suggests that cIgM cells are not MM-PC progenitors; rather, postswitch PCs arise from a single cIgM cell, and MM-PC progenitors reside in the postswitch population. Furthermore, mutations revealed here provide a new marker to identify MM-PC progenitors and aggressive clones that evolve throughout malignancy.

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