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

Pathogens ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 1078
Author(s):  
Szu-Wei Huang ◽  
Aspiro Nayim Urbina ◽  
Yi-Ming Arthur Chen ◽  
Sheng-Fan Wang

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.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ameerah M. N. Qattan ◽  
Noor Alshareef ◽  
Omar Alsharqi ◽  
Naseem Al Rahahleh ◽  
Gowokani Chijere Chirwa ◽  
...  

Objective: This study aims to determine the acceptability of a COVID-19 vaccine among healthcare workers in Saudi Arabia and the factors affecting their intention to accept the vaccine.Methods: The study used data from an online cross-sectional survey that was conducted in Saudi Arabia between 8 December 2020 and 14 December 2020. This study employed bivariate and multivariable regression analyses. The bivariate was used to describe and tabulate the frequency of all the variables, including the sociodemographic characteristics, the risk perception and the acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccination and a chi-squared test of independence was calculated. Multivariable logistic regression models were employed to examine and identify the factors associated with an intention to have the COVID-19 vaccination and the factors associated with its immediate acceptance.Results: Of the total of 736 healthcare workers who began the online questionnaire, 673 completed it (a 91.44% completion rate). Among the study participants, 50.52% were willing to have the COVID-19 vaccine, of which 49.71% intended to have the vaccine as soon as it becomes available in the country, while 50.29% would delay until the vaccine's safety is confirmed. Being a male healthcare worker, perceiving a high risk of infection, and believing that the COVID-19 vaccine should be compulsory for all citizens and residents in the country increased the probability of intention to vaccinate against COVID-19 and the probability of accepting the COVID-19 vaccination as soon as possible.Conclusion: This study calls for more health-related education among healthcare workers to alleviate any fears that might be associated with the COVID-19 vaccine.



Vaccines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (10) ◽  
pp. 1092
Author(s):  
Jean-Louis Bayart ◽  
Jonathan Douxfils ◽  
Constant Gillot ◽  
Clara David ◽  
François Mullier ◽  
...  

Data about the long-term duration of antibodies after SARS-CoV-2 vaccination are still scarce and are important to design vaccination strategies. In this study, 231 healthcare professionals received the two-dose regimen of BNT162b2. Of these, 158 were seronegative and 73 were seropositive at baseline. Samples were collected at several time points. The neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) and antibodies against the nucleocapsid and the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 were measured. At day 180, a significant antibody decline was observed in seronegative (−55.4% with total antibody assay; −89.6% with IgG assay) and seropositive individuals (−74.8% with total antibody assay; −79.4% with IgG assay). The estimated half-life of IgG from the peak humoral response was 21 days (95% CI: 13–65) in seronegative and 53 days (95% CI: 40–79) in seropositive individuals. The estimated half-life of total antibodies was longer and ranged from 68 days (95% CI: 54–90) to 114 days (95% CI: 87–167) in seropositive and seronegative individuals, respectively. The decline of NAbs was more pronounced (−98.6%) and around 45% of the subjects tested were negative at day 180. Whether this decrease correlates with an equivalent drop in the clinical effectiveness against the virus would require appropriate clinical studies.



2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christer Lunde Gjerstad ◽  
Hans Jakob Bøe ◽  
Erik Falkum ◽  
Andreas Espetvedt Nordstrand ◽  
Arnfinn Tønnesen ◽  
...  

Background: The current outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is of unprecedented proportions in several regards. Recent reports suggest that many frontline healthcare workers (HCWs) suffer from mental health problems, including posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS). Previous studies have identified several key factors associated with short-term PTSS in pandemic HCWs, yet limited data is available on factors associated with long-term PTSS. Understanding the psychological impact of the pandemic on healthcare workers, is important in planning for future outbreaks of emerging infectious diseases. In the current study, we look to findings from a highly relevant subsection of the trauma field, the military domain.Objective: Pandemic HCWs and military peacekeepers may experience similar stressors in the line of duty. This study investigated whether factors linked to short-term PTSS in pandemic HCWs were also associated with long-term PTSS in military peacekeepers. Materials and Methods: Peacekeepers who reported pandemic-relevant stressors during deployment to a UN peacekeeping mission were included in the study (N = 1,627). PTSS was self-reported using the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist - Military Version. Descriptive instruments were used to assess possible factors associated with PTSS. A multiple linear regression analysis was performed to explore associations between these factors and PTSS.Results: Our model accounted for 50% of the variance in PTSS, F(1503,11) = 139.00, p < .001. Age, relationship- and employment status, as well as preparedness, working environment, social support after deployment, barriers to disclose, recognition, and loneliness, were all significantly associated with PTSS on average 30 years after deployment. The most important risk factors of long-term PTSS were personal barriers to disclose one’s experiences and current unemployment.Conclusions: Several factors linked to short-term PTSS in pandemic HCWs were associated with long-term PTSS in peacekeepers. We discuss how these findings may be used to prevent long-term PTSS in HCWs involved in the current COVID-19 outbreak.



2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yunkai Yu ◽  
Dominic Esposito ◽  
Zhigang Kang ◽  
Jianming Lu ◽  
Alan Remaley ◽  
...  

Abstract Several variants of SARS-CoV-2 have emerged. Those with mutations in the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE2) receptor binding domain (RBD) are associated with increased transmission and severity. In this study, we developed both antibody quantification and functional assays. Analyses of both COVID-19 convalescent and diagnostic cohorts strongly support the use of RBD antibody levels as an excellent surrogate to biochemical neutralization activities. Data further revealed that the samples from mRNA vaccinated individuals had a median of 17 times higher RBD antibody levels and a similar degree of increased neutralization activities against RBD-ACE2 binding than those from natural infections. Our data showed that N501Y RBD had 5-fold higher ACE2 binding than the original variant. While antisera from naturally infected subjects had substantially reduced neutralization ability against N501Y RBD, all blood samples from vaccinated individuals were highly effective in neutralizing it. Thus, our data indicates that mRNA vaccination is far more effective than natural immunity in generating highly effective neutralizing antibodies. It further suggests a potential need to maintain high RBD antibody levels to control the more infectious SARS-CoV-2 variants.



Blood ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 138 (Supplement 1) ◽  
pp. 3828-3828
Author(s):  
Xian Zhang ◽  
Gailing Zhang ◽  
Wenqian Li ◽  
Yang Zhang ◽  
Tong Wang ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction CD19-targeted chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell therapy effective for refractory/relapsed (R/R) B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) that results in about 90% of complete remission (CR)/CR with incomplete blood recovery (CRi). According to a published study from our center that analyzed 254 R/R B-ALL patients, we confirmed that TP53 mutation was an independent prognostic factor of efficacy following CD19 CAR-T therapy. What factors affect the prognosis of patients with TP53 mutation/deletion treated with CD19 CAR-T is not clear. Here, we focus on the patients with TP53 mutation/deletion and analyze the factors associated with efficacy following CD19 CAR-T therapy among 64 B-ALL patients with TP53 mutation/chromosome 17p deletion. Patients and Methods From June 2017 to February 2020, we analyzed 64 R/R patients (36 male, 28 female) with TP53 mutation/chromosome 17p deletion who received CD19 CAR T-cells from 5 clinical trials at Hebei Yanda Lu Daopei Hospital (NCT03173417, NCT02546739, NCT03312205 and NCT03671460 registered at https://clinicaltrials.gov; Chictr-onc-17012829 at www.chictr.org.cn). Among them, there were 42 patients with TP53 mutation only, 10 with chromosome 17p deletion, and 12 harboring both the mutation and deletion. There were 27 pediatric patients ≤ 14 years old and the remaining 37 patients were adults (>14 years old). Results After CAR-T therapy, 49/64 (76.6%) patients achieved CR/CRi on Day 30 and 1-year OS among the 64 patients was 39.4%. Other 15 patients who had no response (NR) to CAR-T therapy died within 1 year. Among the 49 patients who achieved CR after CD19 CAR-T, 1-year OS and 1-year relapse-free survival (RFS) were 50.0% and 40.9%, respectively. Thirty-three of the 49 patients subsequently bridged to allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) with 1-year OS and RFS of 59.5% and 55.8%, respectively. Using univariate analysis of CR rates (Table 1), the pediatric patients demonstrated a lower CR rate compared to the adult patients (63.0% vs. 86.5%, p=0.04). We saw a trend of patients with complex cytogenetics having a relatively low CR rate compared to patients without complex cytogenetics yet no significant difference was observed (69.4% vs.85.7%, p= 0.15). For the TP53 functional mutation group versus the TP53 non-functional mutation group, CR rates were 70.0% vs. 92.8%, respectively (p= 0.15). In addition, patients with more than one TP53 mutations (≥ 2) showed a lower CR rate of 72.3% compared to patients with one TP53 mutation who achieved 100% CR (p= 0.18). Analyzing the data from all 64 patients, we identified three factors that were significantly associated with OS: 1) presence of complex cytogenetics (compared to without complex cytogenetics; p= 0.005), 2) achievement of CR/CRi (compared to NR; p< 0.001), and 3) bridging into allo-HSCT post CAR-T (compared to CAR-T only; p < 0.001). Next, we focused on analyzing the factors affecting the long-term efficacy of the 49 patients who achieved CR (Table 2). Two factors were associated with OS/RFS: 1) presence of complex cytogenetics (compared to no complex cytogenetics; 1-year OS of 60.1% vs. 39.8%, p=0.025; 1-year RFS 52.0% vs. 28.6%, p = 0.004, Figure 1), and 2) bridging into allo-HSCT post CAR-T (compared to CAR-T only; 1-year OS 59.5% vs. 28.1%, p = 0.003; 1-year RFS 55.8% vs. 7.7%, P < 0.001, Figure 2). Four additional factors that showed a trend of worse efficacy were 1) TP53 mutations more than one (≥2) (compared to one TP53 mutation; 1-year 53% vs. 21.4%, p=0.06; 1-year RFS 45.4% vs. 14.3%, p=0.15), 2) presence of TP53 mutations plus additional gene mutations (compared to TP53 mutation alone; 61% vs. 34.5%, p=0.07), 3) patients with extramedullary disease (EMD) (compared to without EMD; 1-year OS 59.6% vs. 20%, p= 0.05; 1-year RFS 47.7% vs. 20%, p=0.15), and 4) low risk evolutionary action score (EAp53) (compared to high risk; 1-year RFS 80% vs. 30.6%, p=0.12). Conclusions This study has uncovered factors that may predict treatment outcomes and duration of remission for patients with TP53 mutation/chromosome 17p deletion who received CD19 CAR-T therapy. Presence of complex cytogenetics and not bridging into allo-HSCT are two factors affecting the long-term efficacy. Further studies are needed to confirm these results, to improve the clinical management and personalization of treatment approaches for B-ALL patients harboring TP53 mutation/chromosome 17p deletion. Figure 1 Figure 1. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.



2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael C. Pitter ◽  
Serene S. Srouji ◽  
Antonio R. Gargiulo ◽  
Leslie Kardos ◽  
Usha Seshadri-Kreaden ◽  
...  

Objective. To examine success of robot-assisted laparoscopic myomectomy (RALM) measured by sustained symptom relief and fertility.Methods. This is a retrospective survey of 426 women who underwent RALM for fibroids, symptom relief, or infertility at three practice sites across the US. We examined rates of symptom recurrence and pregnancy and factors associated with these outcomes.Results. Overall, 70% of women reported being symptom-free, with 62.9% free of symptoms after three years. At >3 years, 66.7% of women who underwent surgery to treat infertility and 80% who were also symptom-free reported achieving pregnancy. Factors independently associated with symptom recurrence included greater time after surgery, preoperative dyspareunia, multiple fibroid surgeries, smoking after surgery, and preexisting diabetes. Factors positively correlated with achieving pregnancy included desiring pregnancy, prior pregnancy, greater time since surgery, and Caucasian race. Factors negatively correlated with pregnancy were advanced age and symptom recurrence.Conclusions. This paper, the first to examine symptom recurrence after RALM, demonstrates both short- and long-term effectiveness in providing symptom relief. Furthermore, RALM may have the potential to improve the chance of conception, even in a population at high risk of subfertility, with greater benefits among those who remain symptom-free. These findings require prospective validation.



2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 196-204
Author(s):  
I.Y. Pinchuk  ◽  
V.Y. Pishel ◽  
M.Y. Polyvianaia ◽  
Y.V. Yachnik ◽  
V.V. Virchenko

Healthcare workers experience overwhelming occupational and psycho-emotional stress during COVID-19 pandemic. Occupational stress leads to emotional burnout, can cause anxiety, depression and other psychopathological symptoms, influencing the quality of medical care. Existing situation necessitates to define risk factors, influencing occupational stress in healthcare workers in order to develop ways and methods to overcome it. Aim of the study was to identify socio-psychological factors associated with occupational stress in healthcare workers during the COVID-19 epidemic in Ukraine. Using a specially designed questionnaire, an online survey of 1,100 medical workers was conducted in all regions of Ukraine. Questioning was carried out over three weeks from 30.03.2020 to 21.04.2020, during the period of quarantine. The majority of respondents were female medical workers (79.9%). Age of respondents: up to 30 years – 179 (16.2%), from 31 to 60 – 824 (75.0%), over 60 – 97 (8.8%), among them doctors – 695 (63.1%) 236 nurses (21.5%), more than a third are general practitioners. Direct care for patients with COVID-19 was provided by 170 (15.5%) medical personnel. The analysis of the results of the questionnaire enabled to determine the peculiarities of medical worker`s response to the situation in connection with COVID-19 and highlight the emotional and behavioral factors associated with stress that are significant for most respondents. The study answered the questions regarding the perceived risk associated with the spread, contamination and death related to coronavirus. The most significant factors affecting the occurrence of stress in medical workers are identified. Along with this, factors contributing to stress coping have been identified as well. For subsequent statistical processing, all respondents were divided into two groups depending on the severity of the anxiety/fear. Comparison of these groups by socio-demographic indicators was done using the test χ2. There were no statistically significant differences between groups in all socio-demographic indicators, except for age. That is, only the age factor affected the severity of anxiety/fear among healthcare workers due to COVID-19 (p<0.05). Comparative analysis to assess the severity of stress in groups was performed using the Mann-Whitney U test. Healthcare workers with severe anxiety/fear have a high risk for development of occupational stress during a COVID-19 pandemic (p<0.01). In conclusion, the need for the development and implementation of methods for the prevention of occupational stress in medical workers in the current epidemic situation is substantiated.



2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sebastian Havervall ◽  
Ulrika Marking ◽  
Nina Greilert-Norin ◽  
Henry Ng ◽  
Ann-Christin Salomonsson ◽  
...  

Background Recent reports demonstrate robust serological responses to a single dose of messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines in individuals previously infected with SARS-CoV-2. Data on immune responses following a single-dose adenovirus-vectored vaccine expressing the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein (ChAdOx1 nCoV-19) in individuals with previous SARS-CoV-2 infection are however limited, and current guidelines recommend a two-dose regime regardless of preexisting immunity. Methods We compared spike-specific IgG and pseudo-neutralizing spike-ACE2 blocking antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 wild type and variants B.1.1.7, B.1.351, and P1 following two doses of the mRNA vaccine BNT162b2 and a single dose of the adenovector vaccine ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 in 232 healthcare workers with and without previous COVID-19. Findings The post-vaccine levels of spike-specific IgG and neutralizing antibodies against the SARS-CoV-2 wild type and all three variants of concern were similar or higher in participants receiving a single dose of ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine post SARS-CoV-2 infection (both < 11 months post infection (n=37) and ≥ 11 months infection (n=46)) compared to participants who received two doses of BNT162b2 vaccine (n=149). Interpretation Our data support that a single dose ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine serves as an effective immune booster after priming with natural SARS-CoV-2 infection up to at least 11 months post infection.



2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (19) ◽  
pp. 4606
Author(s):  
Margarethe Konik ◽  
Monika Lindemann ◽  
Markus Zettler ◽  
Lara Meller ◽  
Sebastian Dolff ◽  
...  

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is currently the greatest medical challenge. Although crucial to the future management of the pandemic, the factors affecting the persistence of long-term SARS-CoV-2 immunity are not well understood. Therefore, we determined the extent of important correlates of SARS-CoV-2 specific protection in 200 unvaccinated convalescents after COVID-19. To investigate the effective memory response against the virus, SARS-CoV-2 specific T cell and humoral immunity (including virus-neutralizing antibodies) was determined over a period of one to eleven months. SARS-CoV-2 specific immune responses were present in 90% of individual patients. Notably, immunosuppressed patients did not have long-term SARS-CoV-2 specific T cell immunity. In our cohort, the severity of the initial illness influenced SARS-CoV-2 specific T cell immune responses and patients’ humoral immune responses to Spike (S) protein over the long-term, whereas the patients’ age influenced Membrane (M) protein-specific T cell responses. Thus, our study not only demonstrated the long-term persistence of SARS-CoV-2 specific immunity, it also determined COVID-19 severity and patient age as significant factors affecting long-term immunity.



1982 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 157-159 ◽  
Author(s):  
D L Seckinger ◽  
D Antonio Vazquez ◽  
P K Rosenthal ◽  
Z H Heller

Abstract We tested the Centri-Sep filter (DADE) for its effectiveness in separating serum from clotted blood samples used for chemical analysis. Although statistical analysis by paired t-test showed differences in results for some analytes with the use of this device as compared with use of no separator or of a serum-decanting device, we concluded from the small bias of the paired means that the new separator device did not interfere with the clinical usefulness of reported values for the analytes studied. The separator is not an effective barrier for long-term storage of serum on its clot; however, we could obtain about 10% more serum with the separator than with decanting devices.



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