COVID-19: Cross Reactive Immunity, Herd Immunity, and Convalescent Serum Therapy

Objective: To present various types of vaccines and viral infections which can induce cross-reactive immunity against COVID-19. In addition, this article discusses the role of herd immunity and convalescent serum therapy in preventing and controlling SARS CoV-2. The study also determined the claims and counterclaims about their protective and therapeutic effects. Method: Non-systematic review was done using different articles done on cross-reactive immunity against COVID-19 through vaccinations, previous infections, herd immunity and the therapeutic effects of convalescence serum. The search was done on the PubMed, Google Scholar, and Science Direct, WHO, Euro-surveillance, CDC databases. Results: Many observational correlational studies reported that BCG decreases the incidence and mortality from COVID-19. Furthermore, homology between the COVID-19 virus and the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) viruses was discovered. Few studies suggested the presence of cross-immunity between MMR vaccine and SARS-CoV-2. Similarly, few studies suggested protective effects of Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) against SARS-CoV-2; since both viruses are positive-single-strand RNA (+ssRNA). Diphtheria, pertussis, and tetanus (DPT) vaccines, particularly those that include inactivated whole pertussis vaccine, might induce B and T cell cross-reactive immunity against SARS-CoV-2. Other vaccines against Streptococcus pneumonia, Haemophilus influenza, and Meningococcal meningitis vaccines are suggested also to induce some immunity against Covid-19. It is hypothesized that infections with other Coronaviruses may cause protection against SARS-CoV-2. However, the studies done on these suggestions were mostly observational that can carry a high chance of inherent biases. There are also claims and counterclaims about the effect of herd immunity and convalescence serum on the prevention and control of Covid-19. So, appropriately designed RCTs are needed to prove or disprove their protective and therapeutic effects. Conclusions: There are claims and counterclaims about the protective effects of different vaccines, previous infections, and herd immunity and regarding the therapeutic effects of convalescence serum. Comparing with other vaccines, BCG was suggested to have the highest cross-reactive epitopes against SARS-Cov-2 virus. MMR, OPV, DPT, Influenza, Pneumococcal and meningococcal vaccines are suggested to protect against Covid-19. Previous infection with other Corona viruses, herd immunity and convalescence serum may play roles in the prevention and control of Covid-19. Many large clinical trials are undergoing nowadays and their results are needed to prove or disprove the cross-immunity related to SARS-CoV-2 and the effect of convalescence serum.

Download Full-text

Understanding a Diverse Cancer Center Catchment Area: A Qualitative Needs Assessment Built on a Theoretical Framework

Cancer Control ◽

10.1177/1073274820983026 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 27 (1) ◽

pp. 107327482098302

Author(s):

Clara Reyes ◽

Beti Thompson ◽

Katherine J. Briant ◽

Jason Mendoza

Keyword(s):

Cancer Prevention ◽

Catchment Area ◽

Prevention And Control ◽

Qualitative Data ◽

Geographic Distance ◽

Geographic Region ◽

Cancer Center ◽

Cancer Prevention And Control ◽

Incidence And Mortality ◽

And Control

INTRODUCTION: Quantitative approaches to the cancer incidence and mortality of a geographic region may lack understanding of the human context in the region thereby affecting how relevant cancer prevention and control activities can best be targeted to a cancer center’s catchment area. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to obtain and analyze qualitative data that described the barriers and facilitators in a cancer center’s catchment area. A further objective was to use the assessment to plan a comprehensive approach to cancer prevention and control activities in the region. METHODS: Extensive qualitative data were gathered from 32 key informants in the 13 county catchment area. We used the Warnecke Model for Analysis of Population Health and Health Disparities to analyze the qualitative data. We coded factors affecting cancer prevention and control using a directed content analysis approach guided by the Warnecke Model. RESULTS: Four outcome types included fundamental barriers such as political environment and discrimination, gaps in resources, and lack of coordinated activities. Social and physical barriers included distrust, diverse language and cultures, and geographic distance. Individual barriers included lack of system negotiation, health literacy, and poverty. Biological barriers were disparate disease rates in specific groups. CONCLUSION: The analysis and assessment led to the creation of a catchment area wide coalition that used the results to formulate a comprehensive strategic plan to address the barriers in the region.

Download Full-text

(1) Prevention and Control of Disease (2) Practical Bacteriology, Microbiology and Serum Therapy (Medical and Veterinary) (3) A Monograph on Johne's Disease (Enteritis Chronica Pseudotuberculosa Bovis)

Nature ◽

10.1038/092193b0 ◽

1913 ◽

Vol 92 (2294) ◽

pp. 193-195

Keyword(s):

Prevention And Control ◽

Johne's Disease ◽

Johne’S Disease ◽

Serum Therapy ◽

And Control

Download Full-text

Impact of SARS-CoV-2 Vaccines on Covid-19 Incidence and Mortality in the United States

10.1101/2021.11.16.21266360 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Fang Fang ◽

John David Clemens ◽

Zuo-Feng Zhang ◽

Timothy F. Brewer

Keyword(s):

Negative Binomial ◽

Herd Immunity ◽

The United States ◽

Vaccination Rate ◽

Vaccine Hesitancy ◽

Percentage Increase ◽

Protective Effects ◽

Vaccination Rates ◽

Incidence And Mortality ◽

Before And After

Background: Despite safe and effective vaccines to prevent Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections and disease, a substantial minority of the US remains resistant to getting vaccinated. It is imperative to know if expanding vaccination rates could reduce community-wide Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) disease, not just among those vaccinated. Methods: Negative binomial models were used to estimate associations between U.S. county-level vaccination rates and county-wide COVID-19 incidence and mortality between April 23rd and September 30th, 2021. A two-week lag and a four-week lag were introduced to assess vaccination rate impact on incidence and mortality, respectively. Stratified analyses were performed for county vaccination rates >40%, and before and after Delta became the dominant variant. Findings: Among 3,070 counties, each percentage increase in population vaccination rates reduced county-wide COVID-19 incidence by 0.9% (relative risk (RR) 0.9910 (95% CI: 0.9869, 0.9952)) and mortality by 1.9% (RR 0.9807 (95% CI: 0.9745, 0.9823)). Among counties with vaccination coverage >40%, each percentage increase in vaccination rates reduced COVID-19 disease by 1.5%, RR 0.9850 (95% CI: 0.9793, 0.9952) and mortality by 2.7% (RR 0.9727 (95% CI: 0.9632, 0.9823)). These associations were not observed among counties with <40% vaccination rates. Increasing vaccination rates from 40% to 80% would have reduced COVID-19 cases by 45.4% (RR 0.5458 (95% CI: 0.4335, 0.6873)) and deaths by 67.0% (RR 0.3305 (95% CI: 0.2230, 0.4898)). An estimated 5,989,952 COVID-19 cases could have been prevented and 127,596 lives saved had US population vaccination rates increased from 40% to 80%. Interpretations: Increasing U.S. SARS-CoV-2 vaccination rates results in population-wide reductions in COVID-19 incidence and mortality. Furthermore, increasing vaccination rates above 40% has protective effects among non-vaccinated persons. Given ongoing vaccine hesitancy in the U.S., increasing vaccination rates could better protect the entire community and potentially reach herd immunity. Funding: National Cancer Institute

Download Full-text

Efficacy and side effects of Sputnik V, Sinopharm and AstraZeneca vaccines to stop COVID-19; a review and discussion

Immunopathologia Persa ◽

10.34172/ipp.2021.31 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 7 (2) ◽

pp. e31-e31

Author(s):

Nasrin Ghiasi ◽

Rohollah Valizadeh ◽

Mohammad Arabsorkhi ◽

Tahere Sadat Hoseyni ◽

Korosh Esfandiari ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Side Effects ◽

Prevention And Control ◽

Herd Immunity ◽

Neutralizing Antibody ◽

Antibody Titers ◽

Novel Coronavirus ◽

And Control

We believe that vaccination is just a way to eliminate or strongly stop the COVID-19. In this regard, there are several vaccines with different efficacy and side effects. It is urgently required to have some efficient vaccines for the prevention and control of SARS-CoV-2. In this review, international databases were considered for searching relevant articles from 1 January 2020 to 1 May 2021. Keywords were COVID-19, novel coronavirus, 2019- nCoV, coronavirus disease 2019, vaccine, Sputnik V, Gamaleya, Gam-COVID-Vac, Sinopharm, BBIBP-CorV, AstraZeneca, Vaxzevria, Oxford, ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 and AZD1222. Three Sputnik V, Sinopharm and AstraZeneca vaccines are useful to gain herd immunity. Enough intervals (at least three weeks/21 days) must be considered for sufficient neutralizing antibody titers. What is important is that the vaccination should be accelerated with each of the aforementioned three vaccines to achieve herd immunity in a shorter period of time because all three vaccines provide 100% prevention of severe COVID-19.

Download Full-text

Associations of infection prevention and control measures with COVID-19 cases and deaths in nursing homes

The Journal of Nursing Home Research Sciences ◽

10.14283/jnhrs.2021.6 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-6

Author(s):

V. GUION ◽

L. HE ◽

H. BLAIN ◽

H. VILLARS ◽

G. DUREL ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Nursing Homes ◽

Health Care Professionals ◽

Prevention And Control ◽

Infection Prevention ◽

Control Measures ◽

Infection Prevention And Control ◽

Linear Regression Models ◽

Term Care ◽

Incidence And Mortality ◽

And Control

Background/Objectives: To identify which infection prevention and control (IPC) precautions in long-term care facilities (LTCF) were associated with reduced COVID-19 incidence and mortality among residents and reduced COVID-19 incidence in health care professionals (HCP). Design: Retrospective data on self-assessment of adherence to 101 IPC measures collected via an online questionnaire sent to 825 nursing homes in France in December 2020. Setting and participants: Medical and administrative staff jointly reported data on IPC measures, characteristics of LTCF, counts of residents’ COVID-19 deaths and cases, and counts of HCP cases. Measurements: Random forest models were used to identify the most important IPC measures associated with reduced number of COVID-19 deaths and cases in residents and cases in HCP. The identified variables were then included in linear regression models to estimate the association between levels of adherence to each selected IPC measure and COVID-19 deaths and cases. No data on time of IPC measures implementation were collected. Results: Data from 307 LTCF (37.2%) were collected, accounting for 22,214 residents. A higher number of COVID-19 deaths in residents was associated with a better adherence to physical distancing in group activity rooms. A better adherence by HCP to physical distancing during their mealtimes and break times was associated with fewer COVID-19 cases among residents and HCP. Other IPC measures were not significantly associated with COVID-19 cases or deaths. Conclusion: Physical distancing between residents was more implemented when LTCF had been confronted with COVID-19 deaths. Physical distancing between HCP was associated with fewer COVID-19 cases in residents and HCP, suggesting it may prevent significantly COVID-19 spreading in LTCF. HCP should particularly adhere to physical distancing measures during their mealtimes and break times. A higher adherence to such preventive measures does not require extra material or human resources and may be easily achievable.

Download Full-text

Incidence and Mortality of Eye Cancer in Shandong, China: A Population-based Study During 2013-2017

10.21203/rs.3.rs-132317/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Yingmei Li ◽

Hongtao Wang ◽

Zilong Lu ◽

Jiandong Sun ◽

Jiyu Zhang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mortality Rate ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Urban Areas ◽

Chinese Population ◽

Prevention And Control ◽

Mortality Rates ◽

Population Based ◽

World Population ◽

Incidence And Mortality ◽

And Control

Abstract Background: Eye cancer is relatively rare. Current prevalence and disease burden of eye cancer are unlcear.The purpose of this study was to understand the epidemiology in the incidence and mortality of eye cancer in Shandong Province, and to provide reference for the prevention and control of eye cancer.Methods: Population-based cancer incidence and death data from cancer registries in 2013-2017 was collected by Shandong Center for Disease Control and Prevention (SDCDC). Extracted data were firstly assessed for data quality and then were aggregated by area (urban/rural), gender, and age group [0, 1-4, 5-9, 10-14, …, 85+]. Crude and age-adjusted incidence and mortality rates were calculated.Results: The reported numbers of eye cancer incident cases and deaths in Shandong cancer registry from 2013 to 2017 were 169 and 43, respectively. The crude incidence rate, age-standardized rate of incidence by Chinese population (ASRIC, 2000) and world population (ASRIW) were 11.12/107, 8.92/107 and 12.44/107, respectively. The crude mortality rate, age-standardized rate of mortality by Chinese population (ASRMC, 2000) and world population (ASRMW) were 2.83/107, 1.89/107 and 2.58/107, respectively. There were no marked differences in the incidence and mortality rates between male and female. The incidence rates were similar between rural and urban areas. The mortality rate in rural areas was higher than that in urban areas. The mortality-to-incidence (M/I) ratio in rural areas (0.30) was considerably higher than that in urban areas (0.18). The highest incidence was observed in children aged 0-4 years old, which was true for both urban and rural areas, and for both genders,Conclusion: Eye cancer is not a common malignant tumor in this population. Prevention and control measures should be tailored according to the epidemiological characteristics and risk factors of eye cancer.

Download Full-text

Secular Trends in Incidence and Mortality of Cervical Cancer in India and its States, 1990- 2019: Data from the Global Burden of Disease 2019 Study

10.21203/rs.3.rs-696674/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Mayank Singh ◽

Ravi Prakash Jha ◽

Neha Shri ◽

Krittika Bhattacharyya ◽

Priyanka Patel ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cervical Cancer ◽

Cancer Incidence ◽

Burden Of Disease ◽

Prevention And Control ◽

Global Burden Of Disease ◽

Global Burden ◽

Cervical Cancer Incidence ◽

Indian States ◽

Incidence And Mortality ◽

And Control

Abstract Background: Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer that occurs to women worldwide. This study aims to assess trends in incidence and mortality of cervical cancer in India and its states over past three decades for tracking the progress of strategies for the prevention and control of cervical cancer. Methods: Data on cervical cancer incidence and mortality from 1990 to 2019 for India and its states were extracted from Global Burden of Disease study and were utilized for the analysis. Spatial and rank map has been used to see the changes in incidence and mortality of cervical cancer in different Indian states. Further, joinpoint regression analysis is applied to determine the magnitude of the time trends in the age standardized incidence and mortality rates of cervical cancer. We obtained the average annual percent change (AAPC) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI) for each state. Results: Overall, from 1990 to 2019 Jharkhand (Incidence: -50.22%; Mortality: -56.16%) recorded the highest percentage decrement in cervical cancer incidence and mortality followed by the Himachal Pradesh (Incidence: -48.34%; Mortality: -53.37%). Tamilnadu (1st rank), Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh (32nd rank) maintained the same rank over the period of three decade for age standardized cervical cancer incidence and mortality. The regression model showed a significant declining trend in India between 1990 and 2019 for age standardized incidence rate (AAPC: −0.82; 95%CI: −1.39 to −0.25; p < 0.05) with highest decline in the period 1998-2005 (AAPC: −3.22; 95%CI: −3.83 to −2.59; p < 0.05). Similarly, a significant declining trend was observed in the age standardized mortality rate of India between 1990 and 2019(AAPC: −1.35; 95%CI: −1.96 to −0.75; p < 0.05) with highest decline in the period 1998-2005 (AAPC: −3.52; 95%CI: −4.17 to −2.86; p < 0.05).Conclusion:Though the incidence and mortality of cervical cancer declined over past three decades but it is still a major public health problem in India. Information, education and communication activities for girls, boys, parents and community for the prevention and control of cervical cancer should be provided throughout the country.

Download Full-text