Review
Pediatrics
Petra Zimmermann, Laure F. Pittet, Adam Finn, Andrew J. Pollard, Nigel Curtis
Summary: The debate over whether all children under 12 should be vaccinated against COVID-19 continues, with considerations including the relatively low risk of acute COVID-19 in children and the complexity of weighing the risks and benefits of vaccination. Other factors to consider include protection from long-term consequences, population-level impacts, vaccine supply, cost, and avoiding quarantine measures. Ongoing evaluation is needed due to the emergence of new variants of concern.
ARCHIVES OF DISEASE IN CHILDHOOD
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Arabella S. Stuart, Robert H. Shaw, Xinxue Liu, Melanie Greenland, Parvinder K. Aley, Nick J. Andrews, J. C. Cameron, Sue Charlton, Elizabeth A. Clutterbuck, Andrea M. Collins, Tom Darton, Tanya Dinesh, Christopher J. A. Duncan, Anna England, Saul N. Faust, Daniela M. Ferreira, Adam Finn, Anna L. Goodman, Christopher A. Green, Bassam Hallis, Paul T. Heath, Helen Hill, Bryn M. Horsington, Teresa Lambe, Rajeka Lazarus, Vincenzo Libri, Patrick J. Lillie, Yama F. Mujadidi, Ruth Payne, Emma L. Plested, Samuel Provstgaard-Morys, Maheshi N. Ramasamy, Mary Ramsay, Robert C. Read, Hannah Robinson, Gavin R. Screaton, Nisha Singh, David P. J. Turner, Paul J. Turner, Iason Vichos, Rachel White, Jonathan S. Nguyen-Van-Tam, Matthew D. Snape
Summary: The study investigated the mixed use of different COVID-19 vaccines within the same schedule, showing that in certain conditions, heterologous vaccination can achieve similar immunogenicity to homologous vaccination, facilitating rapid global vaccine deployment.
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Suthat Saengchoowong, Pattaraporn Nimsamer, Kritsada Khongnomnan, Witthaya Poomipak, Kesmanee Praianantathavorn, Somruthai Rattanaburi, Yong Poovorawan, Qibo Zhang, Sunchai Payungporn
Summary: This study investigated the interaction between MDCK cells-derived microRNAs and seasonal influenza viruses. The results showed that MDCK cell-derived microRNAs target viral genes in a strain-specific manner to suppress viral replication. Moreover, the use of microRNA inhibitors may facilitate the production of influenza viruses.
EXPERIMENTAL BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Fernanda Rodrigues, Robin Marlow, Catarina Gouveia, Paula Correia, Ana Brett, Catarina Silva, Ines Gameiro, Ines Rua, Joao Dias, Marta Martins, Rui Diogo, Teresa Lopes, Elsa Hipolito, Diana Moreira, Manuela Costa Alves, Filipa Prata, Miguel Labrusco, Susana Gomes, Alexandre Fernandes, Alexandra Andrade, Catarina Granjo Morais, Maria Joao Virtuoso, Maria Manuel Zarcos, Ana Teresa Raposo, Adam Boon, Adam Finn
Summary: This study aimed to assess the impact of varicella on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in children and their families, providing important information for cost-utility analysis. Through surveys and assessments of children in the community and admitted to hospitals in Portugal, the study found significant HRQoL losses in children with varicella and their caregivers.
Article
Immunology
Alice Halliday, Anna E. Long, Holly E. Baum, Amy C. Thomas, Kathryn L. Shelley, Elizabeth Oliver, Kapil Gupta, Ore Francis, Maia Kavanagh Williamson, Natalie Di Bartolo, Matthew J. Randell, Yassin Ben-Khoud, Ilana Kelland, Georgina Mortimer, Olivia Ball, Charlie Plumptre, Kyla Chandler, Ulrike Obst, Massimiliano Secchi, Lorenzo Piemonti, Vito Lampasona, Joyce Smith, Michaela Gregorova, Lea Knezevic, Jane Metz, Rachael Barr, Begonia Morales-Aza, Jennifer Oliver, Lucy Collingwood, Benjamin Hitchings, Susan Ring, Linda Wooldridge, Laura Rivino, Nicholas Timpson, Jorgen McKernon, Peter Muir, Fergus Hamilton, David Arnold, Derek N. Woolfson, Anu Goenka, Andrew D. Davidson, Ashley M. Toye, Imre Berger, Mick Bailey, Kathleen M. Gillespie, Alistair J. K. Williams, Adam Finn
Summary: Low-volume antibody assays can be used to track SARS-CoV-2 infection rates in settings with limited active testing. The study developed and evaluated multiple antibody detection methods, demonstrating that low-volume in-house assays provide good diagnostic performance and better sensitivity than a commercial assay.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biology
Christopher M. Rice, Philip Lewis, Fernando M. Ponce-Garcia, Willem Gibbs, Sarah Groves, Drinalda Cela, Fergus Hamilton, David Arnold, Catherine Hyams, Elizabeth Oliver, Rachael Barr, Anu Goenka, Andrew Davidson, Linda Wooldridge, Adam Finn, Laura Rivino, Borko Amulic
Summary: Neutrophil activity and phenotypic diversity vary in COVID-19 patients. Severe cases exhibit hyperactivation of immature CD102 subpopulations, indicating increased secondary granule release. Partially activated immature neutrophils are detectable in convalescent patients, suggesting long-term myeloid dysregulation. Neutrophils from moderately ill patients down-regulate CXCR2, while those from severely ill individuals fail to do so, potentially influencing organ trafficking and disease tolerance. CD102 and CXCR2hi neutrophil subpopulations may serve as prognostic biomarkers for identifying individuals at high risk of severe COVID-19.
LIFE SCIENCE ALLIANCE
(2022)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Rachel L. Williams, Catherine Hyams, Joe Robertshaw, Maria Garcia Gonzalez, Zsuzsa Szasz-Benczur, Paul White, Nick A. Maskell, Adam Finn, Shaney L. Barratt
Summary: This study investigated the use of CURB-65 and NEWS-2 severity scores in predicting mortality following ARD-ILD hospitalization. The results showed that NEWS-2 had good discriminatory value for predicting in-hospital mortality, while CURB-65 was more suitable for predicting in-hospital and 90-day mortality.
RESPIRATORY MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Respiratory System
Fred Fyles, Helen Hill, Gregory Duncan, Emma Carter, Carla Solorzano, Kelly Davies, Lauren McLellan, Maia Lesosky, James Dodd, Adam Finn, Paul Stephen McNamara, David Lewis, Mathieu Bangert, Natalya Vassilouthis, Matthew Taylor, Daniela Ferreira, Andrea M. Collins
Summary: This observational surveillance study aims to collect data on the incidence of laboratory-confirmed respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in children <3 years of age and estimate the health economic and quality of life impact of RSV infection. The study will provide valuable information for informing public health strategies to prevent RSV-associated infections. The study is expected to be completed by March 2023.
BMJ OPEN RESPIRATORY RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Anastasia Chatzilena, Catherine Hyams, Rob Challen, Robin Marlow, Jade King, David Adegbite, Jane Kinney, Madeleine Clout, Nick Maskell, Jennifer Oliver, Leon Danon, Adam Finn
Summary: This study assessed the effectiveness of the BNT162b2 vaccine against various clinical indices of COVID-19 severity, including hospitalisation, length of stay >3 days, WHO COVID Score >5, and requirement for supplementary oxygen FiO2 >28%. The results showed that the BNT162b2 vaccine significantly reduced the risk of hospitalisation and severity of COVID-19 following Delta and Omicron infections, particularly in older adults.
LANCET REGIONAL HEALTH-EUROPE
(2023)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Catherine Hyams, Robert Challen, Robin Marlow, Jennifer Nguyen, Elizabeth Begier, Jo Southern, Jade King, Anna Morley, Jane Kinney, Madeleine Clout, Jennifer Oliver, Sharon Gray, Gillian Ellsbury, Nick Maskell, Luis Jodar, Bradford Gessner, John McLaughlin, Leon Danon, Adam Finn
Summary: This study demonstrates that Omicron infection in hospitalized patients results in lower disease severity compared to the Delta variant. Despite being relatively lower, Omicron infection still imposes a significant burden on patients and public health.
LANCET REGIONAL HEALTH-EUROPE
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Christian Taucher, Rajeka Lazarus, Hanna Dellago, Gabriele Maurer, Petronela Weisova, Irena Corbic-Ramljak, Katrin Dubischar, Anders Lilja, Susanne Eder-Lingelbach, Romana Hochreiter, Juan Carlos Jaramillo, Helga Junker, Michael Krammer, Petra Pusic, Benedicte Querton, Julian Larcher-Senn, Markus Hoffmann, Stefan Poehlmann, Adam Finn
Summary: This study aimed to evaluate the immunogenicity and safety of a booster dose of an inactivated whole-virus COVID-19 vaccine (VLA2001) in individuals previously vaccinated with VLA2001 or ChAdOx1-S. The results showed that the VLA2001 booster dose elicited higher neutralizing antibody titres and cross-neutralization against the Delta and Omicron variants. Rating: 9/10.
JOURNAL OF INFECTION
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Catherine Hyams, George Qian, George Nava, Robert Challen, Elizabeth Begier, Jo Southern, Maria Lahuerta, Jennifer L. Nguyen, Jade King, Anna Morley, Madeleine Clout, Nick Maskell, Luis Jodar, Jennifer Oliver, Gillian Ellsbury, John M. McLaughlin, Bradford D. Gessner, Adam Finn, Leon Danon, James W. Dodd
Summary: This study aimed to determine whether acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) triggered by SARS-CoV-2 have worse outcomes compared to AECOPD caused by other infectious agents or non-infective AECOPD. The results showed that patients with SARS-CoV-2-related AECOPD had higher rates of positive pressure support, longer hospital stays, and increased mortality compared to non-SARS-CoV-2 infective AECOPD or NI-COPD.
JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Allen Haddrell, Mara Otero-Fernandez, Henry Oswin, Tristan Cogan, James Bazire, Jianghan Tian, Robert Alexander, Jamie F. S. Mann, Darryl Hill, Adam Finn, Andrew D. Davidson, Jonathan P. Reid
Summary: Using a next-generation bioaerosol technology, researchers studied the aerosol stability of several SARS-CoV-2 variants in droplets of different sizes and compositions. The Delta variant showed lower infectivity compared to the ancestral virus, with over 95% loss of infectivity after 40 minutes of aerosolization. The stability of these variants correlated with their sensitivities to alkaline pH.
JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY INTERFACE
(2023)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Catherine Hyams, Robert Challen, Elizabeth Begier, Jo Southern, Jade King, Anna Morley, Zsuzsa Szasz-Benczur, Maria Garcia Gonzalez, Jane Kinney, James Campling, Sharon Gray, Jennifer Oliver, Robin Hubler, Srinivas Valluri, Andrew Vyse, John M. McLaughlin, Gillian Ellsbury, Nick A. Maskell, Bradford D. Gessner, Leon Danon, Adam Finn
Summary: COVID-19 is a major cause of acute lower respiratory tract disease, but non-SARS-CoV-2 infections still account for the majority of hospitalizations. COVID-19 shows significant fluctuations in incidence, while non-SARS-CoV-2 infections remain relatively stable. Despite public health interventions to reduce respiratory infections, the disease incidence remains high.
LANCET REGIONAL HEALTH-EUROPE
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
James Campling, Elizabeth Begier, Andrew Vyse, Catherine Hyams, Dave Heaton, Jo Southern, Adam Finn, Harish Madhava, Bradford D. Gessner, Gillian Ellsbury
Summary: There is currently no standard method to define the catchment population of hospitals. We propose a new approach based on historical patient healthcare utilisation data to accurately determine population denominators, improving the accuracy of disease incidence estimates.
EPIDEMIOLOGY AND INFECTION
(2022)