Immunomodulatory Activity of Aqueous Extract of Polyherbal Formulation on Macrophage Function and Humoral Immune Response against SRBCs in Mice

Several herbal formulation were not properly documented due to poor scientific data as well as poor standard regulation in preparation and marketing. The study evaluate the effect of aqueous extract of Polyherbal formulation on Macrophages’ phagocytic function and Humoral immune response in Mice A total of Sixteen 16 Mice was used. Group I received normal saline, Group II-IV received 500 mg, 1000 mg, and 1500 mg of Polyherbal formulation respectively for 21 days each. The animals were sensitized and challenged with Sheep red blood cells at day 14th and 19th of the treatment respectively. On day 21st all the animals were injected with 0.1 ml Indian ink for carbon clearance assay and blood sample was collected at 1 minute and 15 minutes of the injection. The phagocytic function of Macrophages and humoral immune response were determined spectrophotometrically and Hemagglutination assay respectively. The results show that the highest carbonic particle clearances index (K) median score (Median=0.0228), Macrophage phagocytose index (α) median score (Median=3.249), organ weight index (g/100g) mean score (M=0.06633) and Hemagglutination antibody titre median score (Median=32.00) was recorded by Group IV when compared with other groups. The carbonic particle clearance (K) (p=0.02), phagocytic index of Macrophage (α) (p=0.03), and organ weight index (g/100g) (p<0.0001) significantly increase with increase in the Polyherbal formulation concentration. Hemagglutination antibody titre against Sheep red blood cells (p=0.02) also significantly increased. The extract has potential immunostimulatory activity on both Macrophages’ phagocytic function and humoral immune response in mice thus could be useful in improving immune responses.

To study heterogeneity in SARS-CoV-2 IgG response titre in patients recovered from COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic caused a serious health challenge to the entire mankind. The association between clinical characteristics of disease and formation of neutralizing antibodies have not well studied. A prospective study was conducted for patients recovered from confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infections from 1st August 2020 to 28th February 2021, to study the association between SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibody response titres and clinical characteristics of the disease. A total 92 patients were included in the study. Median age was 52 years; majority were male and middle or old aged. About 48% patients required hospitalization and 38.3% had moderate CT severity score. Positive SARS-CoV-2-IgG was detected in all patients except one. On comparing the antibody titres among various sub-groups of COVID-19 recovered patients, old age was the only factor associated with statistically significant higher antibody response (28 AU/ml for age<35 years, 53 AU/ml for age group 35-60, and 71 AU/ml for age group >60 years, p value=0.01). Severity of infection, worse CT severity scores, need of hospitalization, oxygen or ventilatory support were associated with higher antibody titres but were not statistically significant. There was a strong correlation of antibody titres when analysed for age of study population (Spearman correlation=0.39, p value <0.001); whereas a weak correlation (Spearman correlation=0.03, p value 0.753) was seen when analysed for CT severity score. Elderly patients had higher antibody titre after recovery from Covid-19 infection. Severity of disease, need of hospitalisation or oxygen/mechanical ventilation did not influence the antibody titre.

Antibody response and self-reported adverse reactions following vaccination with Comirnaty: a pilot study from a Croatian university hospital

This study aimed to determine antibody responses against SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) after both BioNTech–Pfizer Comirnaty vaccine doses and study the correlation with self-perceived adverse reactions. Antibodies determination with Elecsys anti-SARS-CoV-2 S assay was performed a day prior to or just before administration of the second dose and 8–13 days after the second dose. Participants selected from a predefined list of the experienced local (injection site reactions) and/or systemic (fatigue, headache, myalgia, arthralgia, chills and fever) post-vaccination adverse reactions. An average 100-fold increase in antibody titre in naive vaccinees was observed between the two time points (median 67 U/mL vs 2841 U/mL, p<0.001). Participants aged below 50 had higher antibody titres (median 99 U/mL vs 26 U/mL, p=0.003 after the first dose; median 3617 U/mL vs 2556 U/mL, p=0.026 after the second dose). All reported adverse reactions were mild-to-moderate, with more participants declaring systemic reactions after the second dose (p=0.001), without a clear correlation with antibody titre.

Antibody Response Against SARS-CoV-2 Following ChAdOx1 (Astezeneca AZD 1222) Vaccine in Health Care Workers in a Tertiary Care Hospital in India

BACKGROUND: The ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine against COVID-19 is a two-dose vaccine spread 3 to 4 weeks apart. This study aims to ascertain the antibody response to each dose with respect to age, previous infection status etc. METHODS: Baseline total COVID-19 antibody level was ascertained using Siemens SARS‑CoV‑2 Total Antibody assay in consenting health care workers before the first dose of vaccination. Adverse effects were noted in each individual and were monitored weekly for the total antibody titre following both doses. Descriptive statistical tests were used to analyse the changes in antibodies levels weekly after both doses. Association of previous COVID infection and age with antibody levels was assessed. RESULTS: Median (range) of age of the 30 study participants was 31.5 years.23% of the participants had a history of previous COVID-19 infection. Mild adverse events following immunisation were reported by 87% participants after first dose whereas only in 7% after second dose. Median baseline antibody titres were significantly higher among those with previous COVID infection as compared to previously uninfected individuals. Antibody titres increased consistently after first dose and showed a declining trend following the second dose in all participants and showed no significant association with previous COVID-19 infection or age. CONCLUSIONS: Antibody titre response was similar amongst the various age groups. Higher response in the previously infected individuals following first dose may make them ideal candidates for a single dose vaccine regimen. Individuals showing lower levels of neutralising antibodies can be ideal candidates for a booster dose.

COVID-19 post-vaccination recommendations in primary immunodeficiency

The COVID-19 pandemic has proven a very difficult and challenging time for humanity to combat. Science stood up to the challenge in the most admirable manner by producing an unprecedented vaccine against SARS-COV-2. This highly effective vaccine was also recommended and administered to individuals with inborn errors of immunity that lead to primary immunodeficiency. While multiple studies have confirmed the efficacy of the vaccine in preventing significant disease in the general public, this protective effect has not been thoroughly evaluated in immune compromised hosts. Here, we provide post-vaccination recommendations for individuals with primary immunodeficiency, including the need for a third booster shot and considerations for antibody titre testing.

A persistent epidemic of porcine epidemic diarrhoea virus infection by serological survey of commercial pig farms in northern Vietnam

Background Porcine epidemic diarrhoea (PED) is a highly contagious infectious disease with negative economic impacts on the swine industry. PED outbreaks were reported from 2009 to 2015, but sporadic infection has been observed until now in Vietnam. However, the seroprevalence of PEDV infection has not yet been reported for commercial pig farms in Vietnam. The aim of this study was to assess the seroprevalence of PEDV infection in Vietnamese pig farms to reveal the endemic status of PEDV in northern Vietnam. Results A serological survey of PEDV infection was carried out using indirect ELISA in commercial pig farms in Hai Duong, Hung Yen and Thai Binh provinces in northern Vietnam in 2019. Twenty sera were randomly collected from each of 10 commercial pig farms, from each province; none of the farms had vaccinated for PEDV. Serological evidence of natural PEDV infection, expressed as a high antibody titre, was observed in the pig farms in all 3 provinces. The OD values were significantly higher (p < 0.001) for pig sera from Thai Binh than from Hai Duong and Hung Yen. No significant differences (p > 0.05) were detected for seropositivity to PEDV based on locality, age, pig breed and farm size. Conclusions This study indicates serological evidence of natural PEDV infection with high antibody titre in commercial pig farms. PEDV infection was widespread among the pig population in these 3 provinces and that good management and strict biosecurity are needed at these pig farms.

Early Onset of SARS-COV-2 Antibodies after First Dose of BNT162b2: Correlation with Age, Gender and BMI

Background: The first goal of the study was to analyse the antibody titre 21 days after the first dose of the BNT162b2 vaccine in a group of 252 healthcare workers (HCW). The second goal was to analyse how the antibody titre changes in correlation with age, gender and body mass index (BMI). Methods: Participants had a nasopharyngeal swab for SARS-CoV-2 and were assessed for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies at baseline and 21 days after the BNT162b2 priming dose. Results: First dose of BNT162b2 activated immune responses in 98% of the participants. Five HWC had no increase in antibody titre 21 days after the first dose. Antibody titre was greater in young (<38 years) vs. older participants (<38 vs. 47–56 p = 0.002; <38 vs. >56 p = 0.001). Higher antibody levels were detected in underweight vs. pre-obesity group (p = 0.026) and in normal-weight vs. pre-obesity group (p = 0.007). This association was confirmed after adjusting for age (p = 0.0001) and gender (p = 0.00001). Conclusions: Our study demonstrates that a single dose of BNT162b2 activates the immune response, and being young and normal-weight correlate positively with this response. Larger specifically designed clinical trials are needed to validate these results.