Article
Surgery
Masaki Yamada, Camila Macedo, Kevin Louis, Tiange Shi, Douglas Landsittel, Christina Nguyen, Masayoshi Shinjoh, Marian G. Michaels, Brian Feingold, George V. Mazariegos, Michael Green, Diana Metes
Summary: Chronic Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection is a significant problem after pediatric organ transplantation, especially in heart transplant recipients with high viral load. This study analyzed the immune characteristics of CD8(+)/CD4(+) T cells in pediatric heart, kidney, and liver transplant recipients, and identified distinct phenotypic and transcriptomic profiles in heart HVL carriers. The results suggest different incidences of EBV complications and provide insights for risk stratification and clinical management in different types of transplant recipients.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF TRANSPLANTATION
(2023)
Article
Hematology
Hannes Vietzen, Philippe L. Furlano, Jan J. Cornelissen, Georg A. Boehmig, Peter Jaksch, Elisabeth Puchhammer-Stoeckl
Summary: This study found that nonclassic human leukocyte antigen E (HLA-E)-restricted immune responses have a significant impact on the development of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) diseases in the individual host. The highly expressed HLA-E*0103/0103 genotype is protective against infectious mononucleosis (IM) by inducing potent EBV BZLF1-specific HLA-E-restricted CD8(+) T-cell responses. Variations in the inhibitory NKG2A/LMP-1/HLA-E axis are associated with the risk of symptomatic EBV reactivations in both immunocompetent individuals and immunocompromised transplant recipients.
Article
Hematology
Luisa Strocchio, Daria Pagliara, Mattia Algeri, Giuseppina Li Pira, Francesca Rossi, Valentina Bertaina, Giovanna Leone, Rita Maria Pinto, Marco Andreani, Emanuele Agolini, Katia Girardi, Stefania Gaspari, Lavinia Grapulin, Francesca del Bufalo, Antonio Novelli, Pietro Merli, Franco Locatelli
Summary: The use of HLA-haploidentical T-cell receptor and CD19(+) cell-depleted hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for Fanconi anemia patients resulted in high success rates, low incidences of acute and chronic graft-versus-host disease, and good overall survival rates.
Article
Virology
Raja Pramanik, Shalabh Arora, Preity Sharma, Ahitagni Biswas, Baibaswata Nayak, Alok Thakar, Atul Sharma, Sampa Ghose
Summary: Nasopharyngeal carcinoma is not endemic in India but shows higher incidences in its North-Eastern regions. Detecting NPC early is challenging, and assessing plasma Epstein-Barr virus DNA load can help monitor disease status, treatment response, and future relapse risk in nonendemic NPC patients.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY
(2022)
Review
Pediatrics
Takuto Takahashi, Susan E. Prockop
Summary: Haploidentical TCD-HCT, using stem cells from HLA half-matched related donors, has been successful in pediatric malignancy. Despite the risks of graft rejection and graft-versus-host disease, recruiting haploidentical related donors is often faster. Various T-cell depletion methods have been investigated to overcome immune barriers and improve immune reconstitution. This review highlights the progress and advantages of haploidentical TCD-HCT as a preferred alternative donor option for children with hematological malignancy.
FRONTIERS IN PEDIATRICS
(2022)
Article
Hematology
Xiang Wang, Xue-Fei Liu, Qian-Nan Shang, Xing-Xing Yu, Ze-Ying Fan, Xun-Hong Cao, Ming-Rui Huo, Ying-Jun Chang, Xiao-Su Zhao, Yu Wang, Xiao-Hui Zhang, Lan-Ping Xu, Kai-Yan Liu, Xiao-Jun Huang, Xiang-Yu Zhao
Summary: This study found that donors with activating KIR genes, specifically KIR2DS1, KIR2DS3, and KIR3DS1, were associated with an increased risk of EBV reactivation after HSCT. The risk was higher when the cognate ligands for the corresponding activating receptors were absent. Measures to prevent EBV reactivation in patients with donors carrying activating genes could improve patient prognosis after HSCT.
BRITISH JOURNAL OF HAEMATOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Francesco Baccianti, Charlene Masson, Susanne Delecluse, Zhe Li, Remy Poirey, Henri-Jacques Delecluse
Summary: EBV efficiently infects and transforms B lymphocytes by activating viral gene expression and manipulating cellular pathways to limit the immune response, according to this study. The viral particle components sequentially activate proinflammatory B lymphocyte signaling pathways, leading to viral gene expression and cytokine release. However, infection also triggers the expression of ZFP36L1, a stress protein that limits the cytokine response. This study highlights the complex interactions between EBV and host cells during infection and transformation.
Article
Immunology
Ndeye Soukeyna Diop, Pascal Roland Enok Bonong, Chantal Buteau, Michel Duval, Jacques Lacroix, Louise Laporte, Marisa Tucci, Nancy Robitaille, Philip C. Spinella, Geoffrey Cuvelier, Suzanne M. Vercauteren, Victor Lewis, Caroline Alfieri, Helen Trottier
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the effect of antiviral prophylaxis on post-transplant EBV and CMV infections in pediatric HSCT recipients. The results showed that acyclovir and famciclovir did not reduce the risk of post-transplant CMV and EBV DNAemia among the pediatric population in the study.
Article
Immunology
Julien Lupo, Raphaele Germi, Remi Lancar, Michele Algarte-Genin, Houria Hendel-Chavez, Yassine Taoufik, Nicolas Mounier, Marialuisa Partisani, Fabrice Bonnet, Marie-Caroline Meyohas, Bruno Marchou, Anastasiia Filippova, Sophie Prevot, Dominique Costagliola, Patrice Morand, Caroline Besson
Summary: In the modern cART era, the EBV DNA load in whole blood and plasma at NHL diagnosis does not serve as prognostic markers for HIV-NHL patients.
Article
Hematology
Pietro Merli, Daria Pagliara, Federica Galaverna, Giuseppina Li Pira, Marco Andreani, Giovanna Leone, Donato Amodio, Rita Maria Pinto, Alice Bertaina, Valentina Bertaina, Angela Mastronuzzi, Luisa Strocchio, Emilia Boccieri, Daniela Pende, Michela Falco, Matteo Di Nardo, Francesca Del Bufalo, Mattia Algeri, Franco Locatelli
Summary: The study confirms that TCRab/CD19-depleted haploidentical HSCT from an HLA-partially matched relative is an effective treatment for children with NMDs. Prompt donor availability, low incidence of acute GVHD, and TRM make this strategy an attractive option for NMDs patients.
Article
Oncology
Chantana Polprasert, Yasuhide Takeuchi, Hideki Makishima, Kitsada Wudhikarn, Nobuyuki Kakiuchi, Nichthida Tangnuntachai, Thamathorn Assanasen, Wimonmas Sitthi, Hamidah Muhamad, Panisinee Lawasut, Sunisa Kongkiatkamon, Udomsak Bunworasate, Koji Lzutsu, Yuichi Shiraishi, Kenichi Chiba, Hiroko Tanaka, Satoru Miyano, Seishi Ogawa, Kenichi Yoshida, Ponlapat Rojnuckarin
Summary: ENKTCLs are aggressive lymphomas predominantly affecting Asians. Defective HLA-A gene is recurrently identified in ENKTCLs and associated with disease progression, suggesting immune escape as a pathogenic mechanism.
LEUKEMIA & LYMPHOMA
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Linlin Zhang, Mengjia Liu, Meng Zhang, Junhong Ai, Jiao Tian, Ran Wang, Zhengde Xie
Summary: Infectious mononucleosis (IM) is an acute syndrome associated with primary Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection. The exact pathogenic mechanism of IM remains unclear and there is currently no effective treatment. B cells and NK cells play important roles in IM, while the balance between CD4+ T cells and CD8+ T cells is crucial for lifelong control of the disease. Transcriptome sequencing of different cell populations involved in IM can help understand their functions and pathogenic mechanisms.
JOVE-JOURNAL OF VISUALIZED EXPERIMENTS
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Wesley Huisman, Ilse Gille, Lieve E. van der Maarel, Lois Hageman, Laura T. Morton, Rob C. M. de Jong, Mirjam H. M. Heemskerk, Derk Amsen, J. H. Frederik Falkenburg, Inge Jedema
Summary: In this study, we isolated the first functional HLA-A*01:01-restricted EBV-LMP2-specific T-cell populations and TCRs and demonstrated that these T-cell populations and T cells modified to express the LMP2-specific T-cell receptor showed IFN-gamma secretion and cytotoxicity toward EBV-LMP2-expressing malignant cell lines.
JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Hematology
Jiajia Hu, Jie Zhao, Chunyan Wang, Mei Jia, Ming Su, Shanshan Li
Summary: This study assessed the clinical outcomes of patients exposed to HBV after haplo-HSCT and found that EBV reactivation was associated with worse prognosis, while CMV reactivation was not.
ANNALS OF HEMATOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Christo Tsilifis, Su Han Lum, Zohreh Nademi, Sophie Hambleton, Terence J. Flood, Eleri J. Williams, Stephen Owens, Mario Abinun, Andrew J. Cant, Mary A. Slatter, Andrew R. Gennery
Summary: Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and gene therapy are the only curative therapies for severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID). This study found that TCR alpha beta-HaploSCT has comparable outcomes to matched unrelated donor transplants (MUD) and conditioning improves myeloid chimerism and immunoglobulin freedom in long-term survivors.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Hematology
Pietro Merli, Pietro Crivello, Luisa Strocchio, Rita Maria Pinto, Mattia Algeri, Francesca Del Bufalo, Daria Pagliara, Marco Becilli, Roberto Carta, Stefania Gaspari, Federica Galaverna, Francesco Quagliarella, Giulia Boz, Maria Luigia Catanoso, Emilia Boccieri, Maria Troiano, Katharina Fleischhauer, Marco Andreani, Franco Locatelli
Summary: High genetic heterogeneity in HLA is associated with efficient immune response. This study found that HLA evolutionary divergence is predictive of treatment outcomes in pediatric/young adults patients with malignant disorders undergoing HSCT. High HED-B and -DRB1 were associated with improved disease-free survival and overall survival.
BRITISH JOURNAL OF HAEMATOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Virology
Federica Zavaglio, Francesca Rivela, Irene Cassaniti, Francesca Arena, Elisa Gabanti, Anna L. Asti, Daniele Lilleri, Teresa Rampino, Fausto Baldanti, Marilena Gregorini
Summary: Measuring the amount of CMV-specific T cells can help identify solid organ transplant recipients who are protected against CMV disease. This study used flow cytometry and ELISPOT assays to measure T cell frequencies. CD4(+) CFC-iDC and ELISPOT-iCL had better diagnostic performance than CD8(+) CFC-iDC, and provided earlier detection of protective immune reconstitution. This monitoring method is effective in discriminating transplant recipients at risk of or protected from CMV disease.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Maria Rescigno, Chiara Agrati, Carlo Salvarani, Diana Giannarelli, Massimo Costantini, Alberto Mantovani, Raffaella Massafra, Pier Luigi Zinzani, Aldo Morrone, Stefania Notari, Giulia Matusali, Giuseppe Lauria Pinter, Antonio Uccelli, Gennaro Ciliberto, Fausto Baldanti, Franco Locatelli, Nicola Silvestris, Valentina Sinno, Elena Turola, Maria Teresa Lupo-Stanghellini, Giovanni Apolone
Summary: This study compared the B-cell, T-cell, and neutralizing antibody response to WT and Omicron BA.2 SARS-CoV-2 virus in patients with hematological malignancies, solid tumors, and immune-rheumatological diseases after the fourth dose of mRNA COVID-19 vaccine. The T-cell response was similarly boosted by the fourth dose across different subgroups, while the antibody response was improved only in patients not receiving B-cell targeted therapies. However, a small percentage of patients did not have neutralizing antibodies to either virus variants, making them vulnerable to SARS-CoV-2 infection. The increment of neutralizing antibodies was similar towards Omicron BA.2 and WT virus after the third or fourth dose of vaccine. Additional booster doses are recommended for frail patients to enhance the development of a B-cell response against Omicron and/or to enhance the T-cell response in patients treated with anti-CD20.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Angioletta Lasagna, Giuseppe Albi, Renato Maserati, Andrea Zuccarini, Mattia Quaccini, Fausto Baldanti, Paolo Sacchi, Raffaele Bruno, Paolo Pedrazzoli
Summary: The aim of this study is to investigate the prevalence of occult hepatitis B virus (OBI) and the incidence of reactivation (HBVr) in patients with solid tumors undergoing immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) treatment. The results show that about a quarter of the patients had potential occult hepatitis B, and immunotherapy may have a low risk of reactivation, but the correct management remains a challenge for oncologists and hepatologists.
FRONTIERS IN ONCOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Filippo Bianchini, Virginia Crivelli, Morgan E. Abernathy, Concetta Guerra, Martin Palus, Jonathan Muri, Harold Marcotte, Antonio Piralla, Mattia Pedotti, Raoul De Gasparo, Luca Simonelli, Milos Matkovic, Chiara Toscano, Maira Biggiogero, Veronica Calvaruso, Pavel Svoboda, Tomas Cervantes Rincon, Tommaso Fava, Lucie Podesvova, Akanksha A. Shanbhag, Andrea Celoria, Jacopo Sgrignani, Michal Stefanik, Vaclav Honig, Veronika Pranclova, Tereza Michalcikova, Jan Prochazka, Giuditta Guerrini, Dora Mehn, Annalisa Clabbattini, Hassan Abolhassani, David Jarrossay, Mariagrazia Uguccioni, Donata Medaglini, Qiang Pan-Hammarstroem, Luigi Calzolai, Daniel Fernandez, Fausto Baldanti, Alessandra Franzetti-Pellanda, Christian Garzoni, Radislav Sedlacek, Daniel Ruzek, Luca Varani, Andrea Cavalli, Christopher O. Barnes, Davide F. Robbiani
Summary: Using coldspot-guided antibody discovery, neutralizing antibodies to highly conserved viral epitopes were identified. Antibody fp.006 binds the fusion peptide and cross-reacts against coronaviruses. Antibody hr2.016 targets the stem helix and neutralizes SARS-CoV-2 variants. Antibody sd1.040 binds to subdomain 1 and synergizes with antibody rbd.042 for neutralization.
SCIENCE IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Virology
Salvatore Camiolo, Joseph Hughes, Fausto Baldanti, Milena Furione, Daniele Lilleri, Giuseppina Lombardi, Micol Angelini, Giuseppe Gerna, Maurizio Zavattoni, Andrew J. Davison, Nicolas M. Suarez
Summary: Understanding the intrahost evolution of viral populations is important for pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment. However, the analysis is sensitive to bias, error, and artefact in the data, and it is crucial to address these issues adequately.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Cristina Merla, Irene Mileto, Stefano Gaiarsa, Cristian Achille, Stefano Ghirardello, Marta Corbella, Fausto Baldanti, Patrizia Cambieri
Summary: We report the isolation of a strain of Pantoea genus carrying a VIM carbapenemase, which is the first of its kind. The strain was obtained from a rectal swab of a 10-day-old newborn in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Whole-genome sequencing revealed that the strain was identified as Pantoea brenneri. The strain harbored the carbapenemase gene bla(VIM-1). Immediate contact measures and isolation of the newborn prevented the dissemination of VIM-producing P. brenneri and the plasmid carrying the VIM-1 gene to other newborns.
Article
Hematology
Nikhil Raghuram, Daisuke Hasegawa, Kentaro Nakashima, Syaza Rahman, Evangelia Antoniou, Torjus Skajaa, Pietro Merli, Anupam Verma, Karen R. Rabin, Catherine Aftandilian, Rishi S. Kotecha, Daniel Cheuk, Kirsi Jahnukainen, Alexandra Kolenova, Walentyna Balwierz, Alice Norton, Maureen O'Brien, Sonia Cellot, Ashley Chopek, Nira Arad-Cohen, Bianca Goemans, Marta Rojas-Vasquez, Hany Ariffin, Jack Bartram, E. Anders Kolb, Franco Locatelli, Jan-Henning Klusmann, Henrik Hasle, Bryan Mcguire, Afia Hasnain, Lillian Sung, Johann Hitzler
Summary: Children with Down syndrome are at a higher risk of developing acute myeloid leukemia, and those who relapse or have refractory ML-DS have a poor prognosis. Current treatment options are limited, and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, duration of first complete remission, and achieving remission after relapse are associated with improved survival.
Review
Virology
Angioletta Lasagna, Antonio Piralla, Sabrina Borgetto, Mattia Quaccini, Fausto Baldanti, Paolo Pedrazzoli
Summary: Torque teno virus (TTV) can be detected in over 90% of healthy individuals. It can be detected in various samples such as blood, serum, breast milk, cerebrospinal fluid, and saliva, as well as in different tissues such as the vagina and hepatocytes. TTV DNAemia is stable in healthy infected individuals, while TTV viral load is inversely correlated with T lymphocyte numbers and functions in immunocompromised populations. The role of TTV in cancer pathogenesis and response to anticancer treatments is still not well-known.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Chiara Fornara, Eric Schultz, Daniele Lilleri, Fausto Baldanti, Brent Ryckman, Giuseppe Gerna
Summary: The serum neutralizing activity against HCMV varies depending on the producer cell type and the PC/TC ratio of virus preparations. The blocking activity of specific inhibitors also varies according to the PC/TC ratio. There is a potential producer cell effect on virus phenotype, but genetic factors cannot be overlooked. These findings have important implications for therapeutic antibodies and subunit vaccines.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Virology
Jose Camilla Sammartino, Irene Cassaniti, Alessandro Ferrari, Antonio Piralla, Federica Bergami, Francesca Adua Arena, Stefania Paolucci, Francesca Rovida, Daniele Lilleri, Elena Percivalle, Fausto Baldanti
Summary: Monkeypox virus (MPXV) is a zoonotic disease endemic in Central and West Africa. Vaccination with vaccinia virus provides 85% protection against MPXV. Comparative data on MPXV immune response in vaccinated or infected subjects are limited.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Daniela Matuozzo, Estelle Talouarn, Astrid Marchal, Peng Zhang, Jeremy Manry, Yoann Seeleuthner, Yu Zhang, Alexandre Bolze, Matthieu Chaldebas, Baptiste Milisavljevic, Adrian Gervais, Paul Bastard, Takaki Asano, Lucy Bizien, Federica Barzaghi, Hassan Abolhassani, Ahmad Abou Tayoun, Alessandro Aiuti, Ilad Alavi Darazam, Luis M. Allende, Rebeca Alonso-Arias, Andres Augusto Arias, Gokhan Aytekin, Peter Bergman, Simone Bondesan, Yenan T. Bryceson, Ingrid G. Bustos, Oscar Cabrera-Marante, Sheila Carcel, Paola Carrera, Giorgio Casari, Khalil Chaibi, Roger Colobran, Antonio Condino-Neto, Laura E. Covill, Ottavia M. Delmonte, Loubna El Zein, Carlos Flores, Peter K. Gregersen, Marta Gut, Filomeen Haerynck, Rabih Halwani, Selda Hancerli, Lennart Hammarstroem, Nevin Hatipoglu, Adem Karbuz, Sevgi Keles, Christele Kyheng, Rafael Leon-Lopez, Jose Luis Franco, Davood Mansouri, Javier Martinez-Picado, Ozge Metin Akcan, Isabelle Migeotte, Pierre-Emmanuel Morange, Guillaume Morelle, Andrea Martin-Nalda, Giuseppe Novelli, Antonio Novelli, Tayfun Ozcelik, Figen Palabiyik, Qiang Pan-Hammarstroem, Rebeca Perez de Diego, Laura Planas-Serra, Daniel E. Pleguezuelo, Carolina Prando, Aurora Pujol, Luis Felipe Reyes, Jacques G. Riviere, Carlos Rodriguez-Gallego, Julian Rojas, Patrizia Rovere-Querini, Agatha Schlueter, Mohammad Shahrooei, Ali Sobh, Pere Soler-Palacin, Yacine Tandjaoui-Lambiotte, Imran Tipu, Cristina Tresoldi, Jesus Troya, Diederik van de Beek, Mayana Zatz, Pawel Zawadzki, Saleh Zaid Al-Muhsen, Mohammed Faraj Alosaimi, Fahad M. Alsohime, Hagit Baris-Feldman, Manish J. Butte, Stefan N. Constantinescu, Megan A. Cooper, Clifton L. Dalgard, Jacques Fellay, James R. Heath, Yu-Lung Lau, Richard P. Lifton, Tom Maniatis, Trine H. Mogensen, Horst von Bernuth, Alban Lermine, Michel Vidaud, Anne Boland, Jean-Francois Deleuze, Robert Nussbaum, Amanda Kahn-Kirby, France Mentre, Sarah Tubiana, Guy Gorochov, Florence Tubach, Pierre Hausfater, C. O. V. I. D. Human Genetic Effort, Isabelle Meyts, Shen-Ying Zhang, Anne Puel, Luigi D. Notarangelo, Stephanie Boisson-Dupuis, Helen C. Su, Bertrand Boisson, Emmanuelle Jouanguy, Jean-Laurent Casanova, Qian Zhang, Laurent Abel, Aurelie Cobat
Summary: Through a genome-wide rare variant burden association analysis, it was found that there is an association between at-risk variants in the TLR7 gene and rare loss-of-function variants in TLR3-dependent type I interferon immunity genes. These findings suggest that rare variants in TLR3- and TLR7-dependent type I interferon immunity genes may underlie life-threatening COVID-19 in patients under 60 years old.
Review
Immunology
Giada Del Baldo, Francesca Del Bufalo, Claudia Pinacchio, Andrea Carai, Concetta Quintarelli, Biagio De Angelis, Pietro Merli, Antonella Cacchione, Franco Locatelli, Angela Mastronuzzi
Summary: Childhood malignant brain tumors are still a major cause of death in pediatric population. New therapeutic approaches, particularly immunotherapy using CAR-T cells, are urgently needed to improve prognosis and reduce side effects. However, there are significant challenges in the application of CAR-T cell therapy in neuro-oncology, including the best route of delivery, the risk of neurotoxicity, and the need for neuro-monitoring.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Respiratory System
Antonio Piralla, Francesco Mojoli, Laura Pellegrinelli, Ferruccio Ceriotti, Antonia Valzano, Giacomo Grasselli, Maria Rita Gismondo, Valeria Micheli, Antonio Castelli, Claudio Farina, Marco Arosio, Ferdinando Luca Lorini, Diana Fanti, Andrea Busni, Matteo Laratta, Fabrizio Maggi, Federica Novazzi, Luca Cabrini, Anna Paola Callegaro, Roberto Keim, Giuseppe Remuzzi, Annalisa Cavallero, Sergio Maria Ivano Malandrin, Roberto Rona, Federica Giardina, Guglielmo Ferrari, Federica Zavaglio, Piera D'angelo, Cristina Galli, Laura Bubba, Sandro Binda, Massimo Oggioni, Sara Colonia Uceda Renteria, Patrizia Bono, Andreina Baj, Francesca Drago Ferrante, Davide Guarneri, Marco Tonelli, Gavino Napolitano, Alice Nava, Lorenzo Romeo, Elena Nicolini, Rea Valaperta, Ludovica Varisano, Caterina Mele, Lucia Liguori, Monica Raggi, Silvia Mongodi, Michele Pagani, Paolo Severgnini, Dario Gasberti, Ezio Bonanomi, Paolo Gritti, Francesco Marrazzo, Ilaria Giovannini, Noemi Sacchi, Orlando Sagliocco, Danilo Cereda, Sabrina Buoro, Fausto Baldanti, Elena Pariani
Summary: This multicenter observational study included 171 COVID-19 adult patients hospitalized in the ICUs of nine hospitals in Lombardy (Northern Italy) from December, 1st 2021, to February, 9th 2022. The study found that the Delta/Omicron variant ratio of cases in ICU patients decreased with a delay of two weeks compared to that in the community. Unvaccinated patients had a higher proportion of Delta infections, while boosted patients had a higher rate of Omicron infections. The number of comorbidities and comorbidity score were positively associated with Omicron infection among ICU patients, including vaccinated individuals. The risk of severe disease and the need for ICU admission and mechanical ventilation due to Omicron versus Delta infection remains uncertain.
RESPIRATORY MEDICINE AND RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Virology
Federica Zavaglio, Davide Vitello, Federica Bergami, Francesca Arena, Oscar Borsani, Anna Amelia Colombo, Daniela Caldera, Daniele Lilleri, Irene Cassaniti, Paolo Bernasconi, Fausto Baldanti
Summary: The aim of this study was to determine the prognostic role of HCMV-specific T-cell frequency measured at the end of LTV prophylaxis in predicting the risk for clinically significant HCMV infection. The results showed that patients with lower HCMV-specific T-cell response after HCMV infection treatment had a higher proportion of clinically significant HCMV infection. Therefore, assessment of HCMV-specific immunity upon discontinuation of universal prophylaxis with LTV should be considered as a method for identification of patients at risk for clinically significant HCMV infection.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL VIROLOGY
(2023)
