COVID-19 vaccine: Potential candidates, achievements, and challenges

Severe acute respiratory syndrome [SARS]-CoV-2, which is the causative agent of Coronavirus Disease 2019 [COVID-19] disease, has engulfed more than 2.4 million people and still counting. As this pandemic is at its peak and is responsible for more than 100 million infected people worldwide, there is an urgent need to develop an effective vaccine to stop the COVID-19 disease. More than 220 vaccine candidates are in the pre-development stage while 15 candidates are in the developmental stage, from which Pfizer/BioNTech, Moderna, and some other vaccines have received approval by some countries for emergency use only. Fever, tiredness, headache, joint pain, swelling at the injection site and some other common effects have been found by using these vaccines. Efficacy, rapid mass production, and long-term immunity as well as acceptance of vaccination by society are the main challenges in developing a safe vaccine against COVID-19 despite the fact that some vaccines have over 90% efficiency against COVID-19 and are useful in developing immunity as well.

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The role and uses of antibodies in COVID-19 infections: a living review

Oxford Open Immunology ◽

10.1093/oxfimm/iqab003 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 2 (1) ◽

Author(s):

D Oliver Scourfield ◽

Sophie G Reed ◽

Max Quastel ◽

Jennifer Alderson ◽

Valentina M T Bart ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Infection Control ◽

Specific Antibody ◽

Scientific Community ◽

Vaccine Candidates ◽

Therapeutic Uses ◽

Humoral Responses

Abstract Coronavirus disease 2019 has generated a rapidly evolving field of research, with the global scientific community striving for solutions to the current pandemic. Characterizing humoral responses towards SARS-CoV-2, as well as closely related strains, will help determine whether antibodies are central to infection control, and aid the design of therapeutics and vaccine candidates. This review outlines the major aspects of SARS-CoV-2-specific antibody research to date, with a focus on the various prophylactic and therapeutic uses of antibodies to alleviate disease in addition to the potential of cross-reactive therapies and the implications of long-term immunity.

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A Whole Virion Vaccine for COVID-19 Produced via a Novel Inactivation Method and Preliminary Demonstration of Efficacy in an Animal Challenge Model

Vaccines ◽

10.3390/vaccines9040340 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (4) ◽

pp. 340

Author(s):

Izabela K Ragan ◽

Lindsay M Hartson ◽

Taru S Dutt ◽

Andres Obregon-Henao ◽

Rachel M Maison ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Vaccine Candidate ◽

Rapid Development ◽

Neutralizing Antibody ◽

Emerging Diseases ◽

Effective Vaccine ◽

Preliminary Evaluation ◽

Sequencing Data ◽

Post Challenge ◽

Vaccine Candidates ◽

The Impact

The COVID-19 pandemic has generated intense interest in the rapid development and evaluation of vaccine candidates for this disease and other emerging diseases. Several novel methods for preparing vaccine candidates are currently undergoing clinical evaluation in response to the urgent need to prevent the spread of COVID-19. In many cases, these methods rely on new approaches for vaccine production and immune stimulation. We report on the use of a novel method (SolaVAX) for production of an inactivated vaccine candidate and the testing of that candidate in a hamster animal model for its ability to prevent infection upon challenge with SARS-CoV-2 virus. The studies employed in this work included an evaluation of the levels of neutralizing antibody produced post-vaccination, levels of specific antibody sub-types to RBD and spike protein that were generated, evaluation of viral shedding post-challenge, flow cytometric and single cell sequencing data on cellular fractions and histopathological evaluation of tissues post-challenge. The results from this preliminary evaluation provide insight into the immunological responses occurring as a result of vaccination with the proposed vaccine candidate and the impact that adjuvant formulations, specifically developed to promote Th1 type immune responses, have on vaccine efficacy and protection against infection following challenge with live SARS-CoV-2. This data may have utility in the development of effective vaccine candidates broadly. Furthermore, the results of this preliminary evaluation suggest that preparation of a whole virion vaccine for COVID-19 using this specific photochemical method may have potential utility in the preparation of one such vaccine candidate.

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SARS-CoV-2 vaccines strategies: a comprehensive review of phase 3 candidates

npj Vaccines ◽

10.1038/s41541-021-00292-w ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 6 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Nikolaos C. Kyriakidis ◽

Andrés López-Cortés ◽

Eduardo Vásconez González ◽

Alejandra Barreto Grimaldos ◽

Esteban Ortiz Prado

Keyword(s):

Neutralizing Antibodies ◽

Large Scale ◽

Vaccine Development ◽

Rna Virus ◽

Protein S ◽

Effective Vaccine ◽

Phase 3 ◽

Vaccine Candidates ◽

Advantages And Disadvantages ◽

The World

AbstractThe new SARS-CoV-2 virus is an RNA virus that belongs to the Coronaviridae family and causes COVID-19 disease. The newly sequenced virus appears to originate in China and rapidly spread throughout the world, becoming a pandemic that, until January 5th, 2021, has caused more than 1,866,000 deaths. Hence, laboratories worldwide are developing an effective vaccine against this disease, which will be essential to reduce morbidity and mortality. Currently, there more than 64 vaccine candidates, most of them aiming to induce neutralizing antibodies against the spike protein (S). These antibodies will prevent uptake through the human ACE-2 receptor, thereby limiting viral entrance. Different vaccine platforms are being used for vaccine development, each one presenting several advantages and disadvantages. Thus far, thirteen vaccine candidates are being tested in Phase 3 clinical trials; therefore, it is closer to receiving approval or authorization for large-scale immunizations.

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Integrated photothermal decontamination device for N95 respirators

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-020-80908-8 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Marcelo Muñoz ◽

Maxime Comtois-Bona ◽

David Cortes ◽

Cagla Eren Cimenci ◽

Qiujiang Du ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Low Income ◽

Temperature Treatment ◽

Low Income Countries ◽

Effective Vaccine ◽

Global Pandemic ◽

Photothermal Treatment ◽

Mild Temperature ◽

N95 Respirators ◽

Uv C

AbstractThe severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) responsible for the COVID-19 global pandemic has infected over 25 million people worldwide and resulted in the death of millions. The COVID-19 pandemic has also resulted in a shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE) in many regions around the world, particularly in middle- and low-income countries. The shortages of PPE, such as N95 respirators, is something that will persist until an effective vaccine is made available. Thus, devices that while being easy to operate can also be rapidly deployed in health centers, and long-term residences without the need for major structural overhaul are instrumental to sustainably use N95 respirators. In this report, we present the design and validation of a decontamination device that combines UV-C & B irradiation with mild-temperature treatment. The device can decontaminate up to 20 masks in a cycle of < 30 min. The decontamination process did not damage or reduce the filtering capacity of the masks. Further, the efficacy of the device to eliminate microbes and viruses from the masks was also evaluated. The photothermal treatment of our device was capable of eradicating > 99.9999% of the bacteria and > 99.99% of the virus tested.

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Synthesis and immunological evaluation of synthetic peptide based anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccine candidates

Chemical Communications ◽

10.1039/d0cc08265a ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Qingyu Zhao ◽

Yanan Gao ◽

Min Xiao ◽

Xuefei Huang ◽

Xuanjun Wu

Keyword(s):

Synthetic Peptide ◽

Spike Protein ◽

Effective Vaccine ◽

The Novel ◽

Vaccine Candidates ◽

Peptide Epitopes ◽

Novel Coronavirus ◽

Immunological Evaluation

For prevention of the coronavirus disease 2019 caused by the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, an effective vaccine is critical. Herein, several potential peptide epitopes from the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 have...

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Current Status of Zika Virus Vaccines: Successes and Challenges

Vaccines ◽

10.3390/vaccines8020266 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 8 (2) ◽

pp. 266 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Aryamav Pattnaik ◽

Bikash R. Sahoo ◽

Asit K. Pattnaik

Keyword(s):

Zika Virus ◽

Viral Infections ◽

Current Status ◽

Effective Vaccine ◽

Congenital Diseases ◽

Vaccine Candidates ◽

Efficacy Trials ◽

Nucleic Acid Vaccines ◽

Funding Agencies ◽

Inactivated Vaccines

The recently emerged Zika virus (ZIKV) spread to the Americas, causing a spectrum of congenital diseases including microcephaly in newborn and Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) in adults. The unprecedented nature of the epidemic and serious diseases associated with the viral infections prompted the global research community to understand the immunopathogenic mechanisms of the virus and rapidly develop safe and efficacious vaccines. This has led to a number of ZIKV vaccine candidates that have shown significant promise in human clinical trials. These candidates include nucleic acid vaccines, inactivated vaccines, viral-vectored vaccines, and attenuated vaccines. Additionally, a number of vaccine candidates have been shown to protect animals in preclinical studies. However, as the epidemic has waned in the last three years, further development of the most promising vaccine candidates faces challenges in clinical efficacy trials, which is needed before a vaccine is brought to licensure. It is important that a coalition of government funding agencies and private sector companies is established to move forward with a safe and effective vaccine ready for deployment when the next ZIKV epidemic occurs.

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Long-term chronic joint pain after sleeve gastrectomy and its influence on clinical and psychological outcomes

Endocrinología Diabetes y Nutrición ◽

10.1016/j.endinu.2021.05.009 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Joana Nicolau ◽

Irene Rodríguez ◽

Keyla Dotres ◽

Luisa Ayala ◽

Pilar Sanchís ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Sleeve Gastrectomy ◽

Joint Pain ◽

Psychological Outcomes

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Therapeutic cancer vaccines: reasons to believe

Emerging Topics in Life Sciences ◽

10.1042/etls20210205 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Jonathan D. Moore

Keyword(s):

Immune System ◽

Cancer Vaccines ◽

Disease Burden ◽

Checkpoint Inhibitors ◽

Effective Vaccine ◽

Antigen Receptors ◽

Engineered T Cells ◽

The Right ◽

Therapeutic Cancer Vaccines

Our hopes of using the power of the immune system to control tumours have been partially fulfilled with anti-PD1 antibodies and other checkpoint inhibitors and the use of engineered T cells targeting lineage-specific surface markers with chimeric antigen receptors. Can these successes be generalised? Therapeutic cancer vaccines aim to educate or re-educate the immune system to recognise tumour specific or tumour associated antigens. After many false dawns, some positive data for the effectiveness of such an approach is starting to emerge in advanced solid tumours, albeit as combination therapies with checkpoint inhibitors. But is the field targeting the right antigens? Interventions using the most effective vaccine platforms to target certain sets of antigens in patients with low disease burden might bring impressive long-term benefits to patients as single agents.

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The dynamics of questing ticks collected for 164 consecutive months off the vegetation of two landscape zones in the Kruger National Park (1988–2002). Part III. The less commonly collected species

Onderstepoort Journal of Veterinary Research ◽

10.4102/ojvr.v78i1.41 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 78 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

Gordon J. Gallivan ◽

Andrea Spickett ◽

Heloise Heyne ◽

Arthur M. Spickett ◽

Ivan G. Horak

Keyword(s):

National Park ◽

Development Stage ◽

Kruger National Park ◽

Ixodid Ticks ◽

Limited Information ◽

Host Seeking ◽

Haemaphysalis Elliptica ◽

Questing Ticks ◽

Landscape Zone

Despite many studies regarding tick ecology, limited information on long-term changes in tick populations exist. This study assessed the long-term population dynamics of the less frequently collected questing ixodid ticks in the Kruger National Park (KNP). From 1988 to 2002, monthly dragging of the vegetation was performed in three habitats (grassland, woodland and gully) at two sites in the KNP (Nhlowa Road, Landscape Zone 17, and Skukuza, Landscape Zone 4). Amblyomma marmoreum and Rhipicephalus evertsi evertsi were collected as larvae most commonly. Most A. marmoreum larvae were collected at Skukuza and numbers peaked from March to July. More R. evertsi evertsi larvae were collected at Nhlowa Road and numbers peaked in summer and in winter, while at Skukuza there was a single peak in spring. Haemaphysalis elliptica, Rhipicephalus simus and Rhipicephalus turanicus were collected as adults most commonly. More Ha. elliptica and R. turanicus were collected at Nhlowa Road than at Skukuza, while R. simus numbers from the two sites were approximately equal. Ha. elliptica were collected most often between February and June, and R. simus and R. turanicus during February and March. All three species were collected more frequently in gullies than in grassland or woodland. Their numbers increased in 1994/1995 following an eruption of rodents, the preferred hosts of the immature stages. The different host-seeking strategies of ticks largely determine the development stage at which they are likely to be collected during vegetation dragging and reflect a complex interaction between ticks, their hosts and the environment.

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Progress toward a Respiratory Syncytial Virus Vaccine

Clinical and Vaccine Immunology ◽

10.1128/cvi.00037-16 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 23 (3) ◽

pp. 186-188 ◽

Cited By ~ 48

Author(s):

Kathleen M. Neuzil

Keyword(s):

Viral Load ◽

Respiratory Syncytial Virus ◽

Virus Vaccine ◽

Effective Vaccine ◽

Vaccine Candidates ◽

Target Populations ◽

Link Type ◽

History Of ◽

Syncytial Virus ◽

Respiratory Syncytial Virus Vaccine

ABSTRACTIn accompanying papers (P. L. Acosta, M. T. Caballero, and F. P. Polack, Clin Vaccine Immunol 23:189–195, 2016,http://dx.doi.org/10.1128/CVI.00609-15; M. Vissers, I. M. L. Ahout, M. I. de Jonge, and G. Ferwerda, Clin Vaccine Immunol 23:243–245, 2016,http://dx.doi.org/10.1128/CVI.00590-15) in this issue ofClinical and Vaccine Immunology, the history of and immune mechanisms underlying vaccine-enhanced respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) disease and of investigations of mucosal antibodies and their association with viral load in RSV-infected children, respectively, are described. This commentary discusses RSV vaccine candidates, target populations, and the challenges associated with achieving a safe and effective vaccine.

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