CD68+ Tumor-Associated Macrophages Predict Unfavorable Treatment Outcomes in Classic Hodgkin's Lymphoma in Correlation with Early FDG-PET Assessment Results

Abstract Abstract 1558 Background: The tumor microenvironment is an important factor in the development and progression of classic Hodgkin's Lymphoma (HL). A recent study (Steidl et al 2010) demonstrated that increased number of CD68+ tumor-associated macrophages was correlated with adverse survival in HL. Moreover the result of the early FDG-PET assessment after the first 2 courses of chemotherapy (early PET) is a major prognostic criterion in treatment of HL. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between CD68 expression and: 1) The clinical outcome in general practice for all patients treated for HL, 2) The results of initial and early PET. Patients and methods: Our retrospective study included 151 patients (pts) initially diagnosed and treated at our center from February 1995 to March 2011 and who had a formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded lymph node biopsy available. The slides were stained for CD68 by a single pathologist (MDC) using the PG-M1 antibody (Dako®) and analyzed by immunochemistry. CD68 staining was scored 1: CD68+ cells < 5%, 2: CD68+ cells from 5% to 25% and 3: CD68+ cells >25% relative to overall cellularity. FDG-PET is available in our center since 1999. A total of 100 pts (66%) had initial evaluation and follow up by FDG-PET. Clinical and laboratory data available on presentation and follow-up were recorded. Sex ratio was 1.16, median age was 39 years [18–85], histological subtypes in WHO classification were nodular sclerosis in 123 pts (81.46%), mixed cellularity in 21 (13.91%), lymphocyte-rich in 6 (3.97%), lymphocyte-depleted in 1 (0.66%). The Ann Arbor Stage was I-II in 78 pts (52%), and III-IV in 73 (48%). B symptoms were present in 68 pts (45%). Treatment protocols were as follows: ABVD in 100 pts (66.22%), MOPP/ABV in 26 (17.22%), BEACOPP in 8 (5.30%), ABVD-like in 8 (5.30%), other in 9 (6%). Additional radiotherapy was performed in 76 pts (50%). Mean follow-up was 75.6 months [1.87–194.5]. Results: The CD68 percentage was: group 1: <5% in 49 pts (32.45%); group 2: 5 to 25% in 67 (44.37%); group 3: >25% in 35 (23.17%). We found like Steidl a correlation between progression free survival (PFS) and initial tumor CD68 expression in accordance with the 3 groups. Group 1: Median PFS not reached, PFS at 5 years=79.8%, group 2: median PFS not reached, PFS at 5 years=69.4%, group 3: median PFS=52.5 month, PFS at 5 years=39.5 % (p<0.0068). Overall survival (OS) was not statistically different (p= 0.77) using these 3 groups, but it was the case when we mixed groups 1 and 2 (0 to 25% CD68+cells) compared to group 3 (>25%) for OS (p=0.0247) and for PFS (p=0.0026). Thus, these 2 groups with CD68 low (CD68≤25%) and CD68 high (CD68>25%) were used for the other statistical analysis. There was a correlation between B symptoms and CD68 expression (63% in the CD68 high group versus 40% in the CD68 low group) (p=0.016). We also found a correlation between the Ann Arbor stage and CD68 expression. Indeed, CD68 was high in 71% of pts in the stage III-IV versus 29% in the stage I-II (p=0.0016). FDG-TEP SUV-max and SUV-mean calculation is available since September 2007 (n=58). We did not find any correlation between CD68 and initial pre-therapeutic SUV-max or SUV-mean (Anova test). Furthermore, no correlation exists between CD68 and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR). Since 2004, pts have an early PET. In the 62 pts assessed to date, the rate of FDG-PET positive was significantly higher after two treatments in pts CD 68 high (9 PET+/14=64%) compared to pts CD68 low (13PET+/48=27%) (p<0.012). Combining CD68 low and early negative PET (35 pts/62=56%) allowed us to define a very good prognosis group with a 100% OS and an 80% PFS with a median follow up of 31.12 months whatever the initial stage was. Conclusion: We found a strong correlation between initial Ann Arbor stages and CD68 expression. We also observe a correlation between CD68 expression and B symptoms at diagnosis. We confirm the experience of Steidl with adverse outcomes (PFS) when number of CD68 is increased. In our experience there are a worse PFS and OS when CD68 cells are >25% independently from initial clinical presentation. Our results show a strong correlation between CD68 expression and the results of early PET with an excellent PFS for the CD68 low/early PET negative group. The prognostic relevance of CD 68+ tumor-associated macrophages in HL should be validated prospectively to contribute in combination with FDG-PET to a better risk stratification of pts to adapted treatment in classical HL. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Download Full-text

Serum Ferritin Level As a Prognostic Factor for Patients with Extranodal NK/T-Cell Lymphoma, Nasal Type.

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v120.21.2644.2644 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 120 (21) ◽

pp. 2644-2644

Author(s):

Etsuko Yamazaki ◽

Naoto Tomita ◽

Satoshi Koyama ◽

Kumiko Kishimoto ◽

Eriko Ogusa ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Prognostic Factors ◽

Cell Lymphoma ◽

Prognostic Index ◽

Nasal Type ◽

Group 4 ◽

Ann Arbor ◽

Group 3 ◽

Group 2 ◽

Group 1

Abstract Abstract 2644 Background: Extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma, nasal type (ENKL) is a rare subtype in Western countries but is more frequent in East Asia or in Central and South America. The response to conventional chemotherapy is not good, generally resulting in a poor prognosis. Several Asian investigators reported that the International Prognostic Index (IPI) score, Prognostic Index for PTCL-U (PIT) and Korean index, including regional lymph node involvement, clinical stage, presence of B symptom and serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels, are good indicators for prognosis. We retrospectively analyzed the prognostic factors of our patients with ENKL. Patients and methods: A total of forty-two patients were diagnosed as having ENKL from April 1998 to May 2011 at Yokohama City University Hematology Group, consisting of eight hospitals in Japan. Central pathological review was not performed; only the individual institutional diagnoses were used. Overall survival (OS) was measured from the date of diagnosis to the date of death or the last follow-up. This study was approved by the Yokohama City University Hospital Clinical Research Ethics Board. The procedures used in this study were in accordance with the Helsinki Declaration. Results: The study included 27 males and 15 females, with the median age at diagnosis of 63 years (range, 18–82 years). Twenty-five patients had localized while 17 patients had advanced Ann Arbor stages of lymphoma. Thirty-two patients had a good ECOG performance status of 0–1. B symptoms were present in 18 patients. Thirty patients presented with nasal and/or paranasal lesions. Twelve patients showed no nasal/paranasal involvement. Of these patients, seven (7/12) had skin involvement, and one each (1/12) with involvement of the gingiva, liver, intestines, testis and lymph node, respectively. According to IPI, 17 patients were classified as low, 9 as low-intermediate, 6 as high-intermediate (HI), and 10 as high (H) risk. According to PIT, 10 patients were categorized as group 1, 16 as group 2, 10 as group 3, and 6 as group 4. According to the Korean index, 11 patients were classified as group 1, 9 as group 2, 10 as group 3, and 12 as group 4. Combined radiotherapy-chemotherapy was administered to 23 patients, 11 patients were treated with chemotherapy alone, 6 patients received radiotherapy alone, and two could not be treated due to their poor condition. After a median follow-up duration among all patients of 12 months (range 1–93 months), and a median follow-up duration among patients still alive at their last follow-up of 47 months (range 8–93 months), 3-year OS rate was 46.7%. Factors associated with a worse overall survival in a univariate analysis were IPI score of HI or H (p<0.001), PIT group 3 or 4 (p=0.002), Korean index group 3 or 4 (p=0.003), extranasal disease (p=0.01), advanced Ann Arbor stage (stage III or IV, p<0.001), ferritin levels higher than 300 ng/ml (p=0.001), B symptoms (p=0.001), albumin levels less than 4 g/dl (p=0.003), LDH value at normal levels or above (p=0.005), soluble IL2R levels higher than 650 U/ml (p=0.006) and β2 microglobulin levels higher than 2.5 mg/l (p=0.035). Multivariate analysis revealed three factors: advanced stage (III or IV) (HR 8.994; 95%CI, 2.188–36.963, p=0.002), extranasal disease (HR 4.824; 95%CI, 1.400–16.624, p=0.013), and high ferritin levels (HR 18.767; 95%CI, 4.207–83.724, p<0.001), to be significant and independent prognostic factors. Conclusion: Advanced stage, extranasal ENKL, and high ferritin levels were associated with an adverse outcome for patients with ENKL. The former two were demonstrated as prognostic factors in previous reports. As far as we are concerned, this is first report showing ferritin levels as a prognostic factor. This result should be confirmed in a large number of cases. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Download Full-text

Effects of posterior tibial slope on the mid-term results of medial unicompartmental knee arthroplasty

Arthroplasty ◽

10.1186/s42836-021-00070-y ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 3 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Zhijie Chen ◽

Kaizhe Chen ◽

Yufei Yan ◽

Jianmin Feng ◽

Yi Wang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Knee Flexion ◽

Tibial Slope ◽

Posterior Tibial ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Medial Unicompartmental Knee Arthroplasty ◽

Group 3 ◽

Group 2 ◽

Postoperative Knee ◽

Group 1

Abstract Objective To evaluate the effect of medial posterior tibial slope (PTS) on mid-term postoperative range of motion (ROM) and functional improvement of the knee after medial unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA). Methods Medical records of 113 patients who had undergone 124 medial UKAs between April 2009 through April 2014 were reviewed retrospectively. The mean follow-up lasted 7.6 years (range, 6.2–11.2 years). Collected were demographic data, including gender, age, height, weight of the patients. Anteroposterior (AP) and lateral knee radiographs of the operated knees were available in all patients. The knee function was evaluated during office follow-up or hospital stay. Meanwhile, postoperative PTS, ROM, maximal knee flexion and Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) knee score (pre−/postoperative) of the operated side were measured and assessed. According to the size of the PTS, patients were divided into 3 groups: group 1 (<4°), group 2 (4° ~ 7°) and group 3 (>7°). The association between PTS and the knee function was investigated. Results In our cohort, the average PTS was 2.7° ± 0.6° in group 1, 5.6° ± 0.9° in group 2 and 8.7° ± 1.2° in group 3. Pairwise comparisons showed significant differences among them (p < 0.01). The average maximal flexion range of postoperative knees in each group was 112.4° ± 5.6°, 116.4° ± 7.2°, and 117.5° ± 6.1°, respectively, with significant difference found between group 1 and group 2 (p < 0.05), and between group 1 and group 3 (p < 0.05). However, the gender, age, and body mass index (BMI) did not differ between three groups and there was no significant difference between groups in terms of pre−/postoperative HSS scores or postoperative knee ROM. Conclusion A mid-term follow-up showed that an appropriate PTS (4° ~ 7°) can help improve the postoperative flexion of knee. On the other hand, too small a PTS could lead to limited postoperative knee flexion. Therefore, the PTS less than 4° should be avoided during medial UKA.

Download Full-text

The Relationship between Serum Ferritin Levels and 5-Year All-Cause Mortality in Hemodialysis Patients

Blood Purification ◽

10.1159/000515639 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-7

Author(s):

Emre Erdem ◽

Ahmet Karatas ◽

Tevfik Ecder

Keyword(s):

Serum Ferritin ◽

Hemodialysis Patients ◽

Rank Test ◽

Significant Difference ◽

All Cause Mortality ◽

Group 3 ◽

Group 2 ◽

The Relationship ◽

Group 1

Introduction: The effect of high serum ferritin levels on long-term mortality in hemodialysis patients is unknown. The relationship between serum ferritin levels and 5-year all-cause mortality in hemodialysis patients was investigated in this study. Methods: A total of 173 prevalent hemodialysis patients were included in this study. The patients were followed for up to 5 years and divided into 3 groups according to time-averaged serum ferritin levels (group 1: serum ferritin <800 ng/mL, group 2: serum ferritin 800–1,500 ng/mL, and group 3: serum ferritin >1,500 ng/mL). Along with the serum ferritin levels, other clinical and laboratory variables that may affect mortality were also included in the Cox proportional-hazards regression analysis. Results: Eighty-one (47%) patients died during the 5-year follow-up period. The median follow-up time was 38 (17.5–60) months. The 5-year survival rates of groups 1, 2, and 3 were 44, 64, and 27%, respectively. In group 3, the survival was lower than in groups 1 and 2 (log-rank test, p = 0.002). In group 1, the mortality was significantly lower than in group 3 (HR [95% CI]: 0.16 [0.05–0.49]; p = 0.001). In group 2, the mortality was also lower than in group 3 (HR [95% CI]: 0.32 [0.12–0.88]; p = 0.026). No significant difference in mortality between groups 1 and 2 was found (HR [95% CI]: 0.49 [0.23–1.04]; p = 0.063). Conclusion: Time-averaged serum ferritin levels >1,500 ng/mL in hemodialysis patients are associated with an increased 5-year all-cause mortality risk.

Download Full-text

Etiology of Cartilage Lesions Does Not Affect Clinical Outcomes of Patellofemoral Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation

Cartilage ◽

10.1177/19476035211030991 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 194760352110309

Author(s):

Alexandre Barbieri Mestriner ◽

Jakob Ackermann ◽

Gergo Merkely ◽

Pedro Henrique Schmidt Alves Ferreira Galvão ◽

Luiz Felipe Morlin Ambra ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Clinical Outcomes ◽

Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation ◽

Second Generation ◽

Cartilage Lesion ◽

Chondrocyte Implantation ◽

Group 3 ◽

Group 2 ◽

Autologous Chondrocyte ◽

Group 1

Objective To determine the relationship between cartilage lesion etiology and clinical outcomes after second-generation autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) in the patellofemoral joint (PFJ) with a minimum of 2 years’ follow-up. Methods A retrospective review of all patients that underwent ACI in the PFJ by a single surgeon was performed. Seventy-two patients with a mean follow-up of 4.2 ± 2.0 years were enrolled in this study and were stratified into 3 groups based on the etiology of PFJ cartilage lesions: patellar dislocation (group 1; n = 23); nontraumatic lesions, including chondromalacia, osteochondritis dissecans, and degenerative defects (group 2; n = 28); and other posttraumatic lesions besides patellar dislocations (group 3; n = 21). Patient’s mean age was 29.6 ± 8.7 years. Patients in group 1 were significantly younger (25.4 ± 7.9 years) than group 2 (31.7 ± 9.6 years; P = 0.025) and group 3 (31.5 ± 6.6 years; P = 0.05). Body mass index averaged 26.2 ± 4.3 kg/m2, with a significant difference between group 1 (24.4 ± 3.2 kg/m2) and group 3 (28.7 ± 4.5 kg/m2; P = 0.005). A clinical comparison was established between groups based on patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) and failure rates. Results Neither pre- nor postoperative PROMs differed between groups ( P > 0.05). No difference was seen in survivorship between groups (95.7% vs. 82.2% vs. 90.5%, P > 0.05). Conclusion Cartilage lesion etiology did not influence clinical outcome in this retrospective study after second generation ACI in the PFJ. Level of Evidence Level III, retrospective comparative study.

Download Full-text

A tissue-engineered urinary conduit in a porcine urinary diversion model

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-94613-7 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Arkadiusz Jundziłł ◽

Piotr Kwieciński ◽

Daria Balcerczyk ◽

Tomasz Kloskowski ◽

Dariusz Grzanka ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Computed Tomography ◽

Urinary Diversion ◽

Porcine Model ◽

Histological Evaluation ◽

Metabolic Complications ◽

Group 3 ◽

Group 2 ◽

The Right ◽

Group 1

AbstractThe use of an ileal segment is a standard method for urinary diversion after radical cystectomy. Unfortunately, utilization of this method can lead to numerous surgical and metabolic complications. This study aimed to assess the tissue-engineered artificial conduit for urinary diversion in a porcine model. Tissue-engineered tubular polypropylene mesh scaffolds were used for the right ureter incontinent urostomy model. Eighteen male pigs were divided into three equal groups: Group 1 (control ureterocutaneostomy), Group 2 (the right ureter-artificial conduit-skin anastomoses), and Group 3 (4 weeks before urostomy reconstruction, the artificial conduit was implanted between abdomen muscles). Follow-up was 6 months. Computed tomography, ultrasound examination, and pyelogram were used to confirm the patency of created diversions. Morphological and histological analyses were used to evaluate the tissue-engineered urinary diversion. All animals survived the experimental procedures and follow-up. The longest average patency was observed in the 3rd Group (15.8 weeks) compared to the 2nd Group (10 weeks) and the 1st Group (5.8 weeks). The implant’s remnants created a retroperitoneal post-inflammation tunnel confirmed by computed tomography and histological evaluation, which constitutes urostomy. The simultaneous urinary diversion using a tissue-engineered scaffold connected directly with the skin is inappropriate for clinical application.

Download Full-text

Evaluation of the TGS TA system for the detection of anti-Toxoplasma antibodies

Microbiologia Medica ◽

10.4081/mm.2017.6583 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 32 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Olivia Arpino ◽

Annalisa Cianflone ◽

Maria Teresa Manco ◽

Alessia Paganini ◽

Massimo De Paschale ◽

...

Keyword(s):

High Avidity ◽

Past Infection ◽

Recent Infection ◽

Igm Antibodies ◽

Igg Avidity ◽

Avidity Test ◽

Group 3 ◽

Group 2 ◽

Group 1

Background and aims. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the new chemiluminescence TGS TA system of Technogenetics (Milan, Italy) for detecting anti-Toxoplasma IgG and IgM antibodies and IgG avidity. The TGS TA system was compared with our chemiluminescence routinely used system, LIAISON XL, supplied by Diasorin (Saluggia, Italy), for the detection of IgG and IgM antibodies. Only in positive IgM samples (retrospective study) and for the IgG avidity (if existent), TGS TA system was compared to an Enzyme Linked Fluorescent Assay (ELFA) test (VIDAS, BioMérieux, Marcy-l’Étoile, France). Materials and methods. Three hundred and one sera samples, from women who came to our centre for the routine follow up pregnancy, were examined with the TGS TA system and divided in 3 groups according to IgG and IgM screening LIAISON XL tests: 106 were non-immune women (Group 1), 100 were pregnant with past infection (Group 2) and 95 were pregnant with positive or equivocal IgM (82 with positive IgG and 13 with negative IgG) (Group 3). Results. The overall concordance of the IgG results between LIAISON XL and TGS TA was 99.3%: 100% in Group 1, 98% in Group 2 and 100% in Group 3. The overall concordance of the IgM results between LIAISON XL and TGS TA was 93.9%: 100% in Group 1, 94% in Group 2 and 82.8% in Group 3. In Group 3, the concordance between the results of the IgG avidity with the ELFA and TGS TA tests was 81.7%. Comparing the clinical diagnosis obtained with our protocol and that of the TGS TA system, the overall concordance was 92.7%: 100% in Group 1, 92.0% in Group 2 and 78.9% in Group 3. Conclusions. The overall concordance of IgG antibodies is excellent for both protocols while for IgM antibodies is very high in the first group and lower in the third group, due to the presence of non-specific IgM subjects in this group. The TGS TA avidity test seems to predict ealier the maturation of the IgG compared to the ELFA test since many samples with low avidity with the ELFA were seen with moderate avidity with TGS TA and all those with borderline avidity with the ELFA were seen with high avidity with TGS TA. This system shows to be a valuable tool with overall good clinical correlation and able to clearly identify nonspecific subjects, those with a non-recent infection.

Download Full-text

Comparison of Changes in Number of Hyperreflective Dots After İntravitreal Ranibizumab or Dexamethasone İmplant in Patients with Branch Retinal Vein Occlusion

10.21203/rs.3.rs-736656/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Aylin Karalezli ◽

Sema Kaderli ◽

Ahmet Kaderli ◽

Cansu Kaya ◽

Sabahattin Sul

Keyword(s):

First Year ◽

Intravitreal Ranibizumab ◽

Retinal Layers ◽

Vein Occlusion ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Group 3 ◽

The Mean ◽

Group 2 ◽

Group 1

Abstract Purpose: To compare the effect of intravitreal ranibizumab (IVR) or intravitreal dexamethasone implants (IVD) on regression of hyperreflective dots (HRDs) on optical coherence tomography (OCT) B-scan in patients with branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO). Methods: 37 eyes of 37 patients with cystoid macular edema who received IVR or IVD and followed up for at least 12 months were included in this study. The patients were divided into three groups according to intravitreal treatment. Group 1 consisted of 12 eyes who received only IVD, group 2 consisted of 10 eyes who received only IVR on a pro re nata and group 3 consisted of 15 eyes who received both IVD and IVR. OCT parameters (CMT, number of HRDs, status of external limiting membrane (ELM) and ellipsoid zone (EZ)) and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) were compared between the groups over the follow-up time. HRDs were categorized as HRD in inner retinal layers (from the internal limiting membrane to the inner nuclear layer) or HRD in outer retinal layers (from the outer plexiform layer to the outer border of the photoreceptor layer).Results: There was no significant difference between groups in terms of BCVA, CMT, HRDs in the inner and the outer retinal layers at baseline visit. (p˃0.05 for all) Comparing the baseline values in all groups, a significant decrease was observed in CMT in the first year. (For group 1; p=0.013, group 2; p=0.010; group 3, p<0.001) The BCVA was significantly increased after 1 year in all groups. (p=0.001, p=0.006, p<0.001) The mean number of HRDs in inner and outer retinal layers were significantly decreased in group 1 and group 3. (For group 1; p<0.001, p=0.001, for group 3; p<0.001, p<0.001) However, there was no significant difference in terms of the mean number of HRDs in inner and outer retinal layers for group 2. (p=0.134, p=0.477) At the first year, the number of HRDs in inner and outer retinal layers was significantly lower in group 1 and group 3 than group 2. (For inner HRDs; group 1 vs. group 2 p=0.007, group 2 vs. group 3 p<0.001. For outer HRDs group 1 vs. group 2 p<0.001, group 2 vs. group 3 p<0.001.) The BCVA was higher in group 3 than group 2 at 1year. (p=0.048). There was no significant difference in terms of post-treatment CMT and the number of HRDs between group 1 and group3 in posthoc tests (p=0.621, p=0.876, and p=0.632).Conclusion: The reduction in HRDs at 12 months and better BCVA after IVD intimates that the HRDs should be considered as inflammatory markers in the follow-up of CME in BRVO. Thus, IVD injection could be more appropriate for patients with higher HRDs after BRVO.

Download Full-text

Incidence of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 infection among previously infected or vaccinated employees

10.1101/2021.07.03.21259976 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Noah Kojima ◽

Arash Roshani ◽

Matthew Brobeck ◽

Arthur Baca ◽

Jeffrey D Klausner

Keyword(s):

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ◽

Clinical Laboratory ◽

Exact Equation ◽

Previous Infection ◽

Group 3 ◽

Group 2 ◽

Measure Of Association ◽

Observation Period ◽

Group 1

Introduction: The protective effect of previous infection versus vaccination is poorly studied. Among a clinical laboratory that has been conducting routine workforce screening since the beginning of the pandemic, we aimed to assess the relative risk of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection among individuals who were SARS-CoV-2 naive, previously infected, or vaccinated. Methods: Using an electronic laboratory information system, employees were divided into three groups: (1) SARS-CoV-2 naive and unvaccinated, (2) previous SARS-CoV-2 infection, and (3) vaccinated. Person-days were measured from the date of the employee first test and truncated at the end of the observation period. SARS-CoV-2 infection was defined as two positive SARS-CoV-2 PCR tests in a 30-day period. Individuals with fewer than 14 days of follow up were excluded. Incidence estimates and the 95% confidence intervals were calculated using the Poisson Exact equation. The incidence rate ratio (IRR) was used as a measure of association between groups. Analyses were performed on StataSE (StataCorp, College Station, TX). Results: We identified 4313, 254 and 739 employee records for groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively. The median age of employees was 29.0 years (interquartile range: 23.6, 39.9). During the observation period, 254, 0, and 4 infections were identified among groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Group 1 had an incidence of 25.9 per 100 person-years (95% CI: 22.8-29.3). Group 2 had an incidence of 0 per 100 person-years (95% CI: 0-5.0). Group 3 had an incidence of 1.6 per 100 person-years (95% CI: 0.04-4.2). The IRR of reinfection among those with previous infection compared to SARS-CoV-2 naive was 0 (95% CI: 0-0.19). The IRR of those vaccinated compared to SARS-CoV-2 naive was 0.06 (95% CI: 0.02-0.16). The IRR of those vaccinated compared to prior SARS-CoV-2 was 0 (95% CI: 0-4.98). Conclusion: Previous SARS-CoV-2 infection and vaccination for SARS-CoV-2 were associated with decreased risk for infection or re-infection with SARS-CoV-2 in a routinely screened workforce. The was no difference in the infection incidence between vaccinated individuals and individuals with previous infection. Further research is needed to determine whether our results are consistent with the emergence of new SARS-CoV-2 variants.

Download Full-text

The follow up of experimentally infected hamsters with Leishmania tropica immunized with different vaccines

Baghdad Science Journal ◽

10.21123/bsj.4.4.549-554 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 4 (4) ◽

pp. 549-554

Author(s):

Baghdad Science Journal

Keyword(s):

Liver Weight ◽

Bcg Vaccine ◽

Leishmania Tropica ◽

Golden Hamsters ◽

Group 3 ◽

Group 2 ◽

Foot Pad ◽

Spleen Enlargement ◽

Group 1

Some parameters for advancement of Leishmania tropica infection were examined in three groups of golden hamsters, Group (1) inoculated with autoclaved killed Leishmania tropica , Group (2) inoculated with BCG vaccine alone while Group (3) Inoculated with mixed vaccine (autoclaved killed Leishmania with BCG). The follow up of experimentally infected animals with virulent isolation of Leishmania tropica was done for 90 days, the animals inoculated with mixed vaccine (autoclaved killed Leishmania with BCG) showed the minimum average in each of foot pad thickness (2.3 ± 0.05) mm after (60) days of infection, spleen enlargement (1.13±0.38) after (45) days of infection, spleen length (23.9±0.08) mm after (30) days of infection, liver weight(3.8±0.52) gm after (90) days of infection and estimated number of parasites in the spleen (0.91±0.04) million parasites after (30) days of infection. In conclusion, the mixed vaccine was effective to protect animals against subsequent infections which may cause lesions, and minimized the number of parasites in spleen for (90) days after infection.

Download Full-text

Study of Some Parameters to Evaluate Immunization against Leishmaniasis in Golden hamsters

Journal of Biotechnology Research Center ◽

10.24126/jobrc.2011.5.2.153 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 5 (2) ◽

pp. 5-11

Author(s):

Fawzia A. Al-Shanawi ◽

Harith S. Al-Warid

Keyword(s):

Phosphate Buffer ◽

Saline Group ◽

Challenge Infection ◽

Leishmania Tropica ◽

Parasite Culture ◽

Golden Hamsters ◽

Group 3 ◽

Group 2 ◽

Group 1

Incubation period, smears, impression and parasite culture for each liver, spleen, foot and blood were observed along five times follow up (15,30, 45, 60, 75, 90) days after challenge infection with virulent Leishmania tropica isolate in four groups of golden hamsters, inoculated with (one, two, three) doses of different antigens as following: Group (1) inoculated with autoclaved killed Leishmania tropica, Group (2) inoculated with BCG vaccine alone while Group (3) Inoculated with mixed vaccines (autoclaved killed Leishmania + BCG) and (4) control animals inoculated with phosphate buffer saline. Group 3, was considered as the best vaccine in this study because animal inoculated with this vaccine showed the following results compared with other antigens: - No lesion appeared along 90 days of following up.- Negative foot impression and culture up to 15 and 30 days of infection respectively, - Negative spleen and liver impression up to 30 days of infection when comparing with other groups.

Download Full-text