scholarly journals Demographic and Clinical Factors Associated with Reactivity of Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Antibodies in Serbian Convalescent Plasma Donors

Author(s):  
Jasmina Grujić ◽  
Nevenka Bujandrić ◽  
Zorana Budakov-Obradović ◽  
Vladimir Dolinaj ◽  
Damir Bogdan ◽  
...  

Passive immunotherapy with convalescent COVID-19 plasma (CCP) is used as a therapeutic procedure in many countries, including Serbia. In this study, we analyzed the association between demographic factors, COVID-19 severity and the reactivity of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies (Abs) in Serbian CCP donors. Individuals (n = 468) recovered from confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection, and who were willing to donate their plasma for passive immunization of COVID-19 patients were enrolled in the study. Plasma samples were tested for the presence of IgG reactive to SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein (S1) and nucleocapsid antigens. Individuals were characterized according to age, gender, comorbidities, COVID-19 severity, ABO blood type and RhD factor. Total of 420 candidates (420/468; 89.74%) reached the levels of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG that qualified them for inclusion in CCP donation program. Further statistical analysis showed that male individuals (p = 0.034), older age groups (p < 0.001), existence of hypertension (p = 0.008), and severe COVID-19 (p = 0.000) are linked with higher levels of anti-SARS-CoV-2 Abs. These findings will guide the selection of CCP donors in Serbia. Further studies need to be conducted to assess the neutralization potency and clinical efficiency of CCP collected from Serbian donors with high anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG reactivity.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adi Noiman ◽  
Allahna Esber ◽  
Xun Wang ◽  
Emmanuel Bahemana ◽  
Yakubu Adamu ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: A significant minority of people living with HIV (PLWH) achieve viral suppression (VS) on antiretroviral therapy (ART) but do not regain healthy CD4 counts. Clinical factors affecting this immune non-response (INR) and its effect on incident serious non-AIDS events (SNAEs) have been challenging to understand due to confounders that are difficult to control in many study settings. Setting: The U.S. Military HIV Natural History Study (NHS) and African Cohort Study (AFRICOS). Methods: PLWH with sustained VS (<400 copies/mL for at least two years) were evaluated for INR (CD4 < 350 cells/µl at the time of sustained VS). Logistic regression estimated adjusted odds ratios (aORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for factors associated with INR. Cox proportional hazards regression produced adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs) for factors associated with incident SNAE after sustained VS. Results: INR prevalence was 10.8% and 25.8% in NHS and AFRICOS, respectively. Higher CD4 nadir was associated with decreased odds of INR (aOR=0.31 [95% CI: 0.26, 0.37] and aOR=0.50 [95% CI: 0.43, 0.58] per 100 cells/µl in NHS and AFRICOS, respectively). After adjustment, INR was associated with a 61% increase in relative risk of SNAE [95% CI: 1.12, 2.33]. Probability of "SNAE-free" survival at 15 years since sustained VS was approximately 20% lower comparing those with and without INR; nearly equal to the differences observed by 15-year age groups. Conclusion: CD4 monitoring before and after VS is achieved can help identify PLWH at risk for INR. INR may be a useful clinical indicator of future risk for SNAEs.


2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 649
Author(s):  
Chris O Ifediora

Background: Multiple factors potentially influence doctors’ decisions regarding neuroimaging for headaches in general practice and psycho-morbidities are one of such. Unfortunately, other non-clinical factors at play among psychological patients with headaches are poorly known and the need to identify these factors has become important in view of recent findings on the impact of psychological issues in managing headaches in primary care. The findings from this study are expected to help improve efficiency and confidence in managing headaches in this subset of patients.Method: This is a 7-year retrospective study exploring headache presentations of patients aged ≥18 in an Australian general practice setting from 1 January 2010 to 1 April 2017.Results: A total of 517 patients were identified, with an average age of 45.5 +/- 16.2 years (range of 18 to 94 years).  Psycho-morbidities were reported among 190 (36.8%) patients. The female to male ratio was 72% to 28%. Most cases of headaches were among those aged 40 to 59 years (199 or 38.5%), while the least presentations were among the 18 to 24-year-olds (47 or 9.1%). It was found that 40% fewer males had psycho-morbidities relative to females (OR 0.6; CI 0.39 to 0.91; p -0.02), while those aged between 40 and 59 years were more likely to have associated psycho-morbidities compared to other age groups (OR 1.68; CI 1.17 to 2.42; p -0.01).Conclusion: General Practitioners should properly evaluate the psychosocial issues of all patients presenting with headaches for which neuroimaging is being considered, particularly middle-aged females. This is important given the recent report that neuroimaging for headache presentations among patients with associated psycho-morbidities are ordered more disproportionately and yet were less likely to have findings that can explain the headaches. A larger national or international study may be needed to further explore the identified associations.


2017 ◽  
Vol 87 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 37-48
Author(s):  
Riyadh A. Alzaheb ◽  
Norah Alatawi ◽  
Khawla A. Daoud ◽  
Naema Altawil

Abstract.Background: Establishing understanding of infants’ dietary intakes can support interventions to improve their diets and overall health. Because information on the dietary intakes of infants aged ≤12 months in Saudi Arabia is scarce, this study examined the diets of infants aged 6 and 12 months in Saudi Arabia and determined their main dietary sources of total energy and macronutrients. Methods: A crosssectional dietary survey employing a single 24-hour recall was performed between May and December 2015 with a sample of mothers of 278 healthy 6-month-old and 259 12-month-old infants. An analysis of the dietary intake data determined the nutrient intake adequacy and the percentage contributions of foods to energy and macronutrient intakes. Results: The respective mean daily energy intakes of the 6-month-old and 12-month-old infants in the study were 703 kcal and 929 kcal. Both age groups recorded adequate nutrient intakes, with the exception that the 6-month-olds’ mean vitamin D intake fell below the recommended Adequate Intake (AI), and the 12-month-olds’ intakes of omega-6 fatty acids and vitamin D were also below the AI, along with their iron intake which fell short of the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA). Conclusion: The data generated here will assist health professionals in planning interventions which aim to improve infants’ diets and to offer guidance to parents on the appropriate selection of food for their infants.


2013 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 205-217 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vanessa Joosen

Compared to the attention that children's literature scholars have paid to the construction of childhood in children's literature and the role of adults as authors, mediators and readers of children's books, few researchers have made a systematic study of adults as characters in children's books. This article analyses the construction of adulthood in a selection of texts by the Dutch author and Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award winner Guus Kuijer and connects them with Elisabeth Young-Bruehl's recent concept of ‘childism’ – a form of prejudice targeted against children. Whereas Kuijer published a severe critique of adulthood in Het geminachte kind [The despised child] (1980), in his literary works he explores a variety of positions that adults can take towards children, with varying degrees of childist features. Such a systematic and comparative analysis of the way grown-ups are characterised in children's texts helps to shed light on a didactic potential that materialises in different adult subject positions. After all, not only literary and artistic aspects of children's literature may be aimed at the adult reader (as well as the child), but also the didactic aspect of children's books can cross over between different age groups.


Author(s):  
Alessandra Bandera ◽  
Alessandro Nobili ◽  
Mauro Tettamanti ◽  
Sergio Harari ◽  
Silvano Bosari ◽  
...  

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