Article
Immunology
Geofrey Makenga, George Mtove, J. Kevin Yin, Abubakary Mziray, Veneranda M. Bwana, William Kisinza, Julius Mjema, Ben Amos, Laura Antony, Delane Shingadia, Shahin Oftadeh, Robert Booy
Summary: This study investigated the antibody response and vaccine efficacy of PCV13 in HIV-infected children. The results showed a reduction in acquisition of new vaccine serotypes of S. pneumoniae in the PCV13 group compared to the Hib vaccine group.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Willem R. Miellet, Janieke van Veldhuizen, Mioara A. Nicolaie, Rob Mariman, Hester J. Bootsma, Thijs Bosch, Nynke Y. Rots, Elisabeth A. M. Sanders, Josine van Beek, Krzysztof Trzcinski
Summary: Influenza-like illness exacerbates pneumococcal colonization in older adults, with this effect persisting beyond recovery from the illness.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Sweta M. Patel, Yazdani B. Shaik-Dasthagirisaheb, Morgan Congdon, Rebecca R. Young, Mohamed Z. Patel, Tiny Mazhani, Sefelani Boiditswe, Tirayaone Leburu, Kwana Lechiile, Tonya Arscott-Mills, Andrew P. Steenhoff, Kristen A. Feemster, Samir S. Shah, Coleen K. Cunningham, Stephen I. Pelton, Matthew S. Kelly
Summary: The introduction of pneumococcal conjugate vaccines has reduced invasive pneumococcal disease burden, but the effectiveness of these vaccines can be reduced by an increase in non-vaccine serotype diseases.
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Deus Thindwa, Nicole Wolter, Amy Pinsent, Maimuna Carrim, John Ojal, Stefano Tempia, Jocelyn Moyes, Meredith McMorrow, Jackie Kleynhans, Anne von Gottberg, Neil French, Cheryl Cohen, Stefan Flasche
Summary: The study assessed the contribution of HIV-infected adults to household pneumococcal transmission in South Africa. Despite HIV-infected adults having higher carriage duration and density, they do not contribute more to pneumococcal transmission within households compared to HIV-uninfected adults. The use of ART and antibiotics reduces carriage duration and acquisition risks across all age groups.
PLOS COMPUTATIONAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Timothy L. McMurry, Elizabeth T. Rogawski McQuade, Jie Liu, Gagandeep Kang, Margaret N. Kosek, Aldo A. M. Lima, Pascal O. Bessong, Amidou Samie, Rashidul Haque, Estomih R. Mduma, Jose Paulo Leite, Ladaporn Bodhidatta, Najeeha T. Iqbal, Nicola Page, Ireen Kiwelu, Zulfiqar A. Bhutta, Tahmeed Ahmed, Eric R. Houpt, James A. Platts-Mills
Summary: The study reveals significant variations in the duration of postdiarrheal shedding among different pathogens, with Cryptosporidium and Shigella showing prolonged shedding. Targeted antimicrobial therapy and vaccination for these pathogens could have a significant impact on transmission.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Pediatrics
Chrispin Chaguza, Madikay Senghore, Ebrima Bojang, Stephanie W. Lo, Chinelo Ebruke, Rebecca A. Gladstone, Peggy-Estelle Tientcheu, Rowan E. Bancroft, Archibald Worwui, Ebenezer Foster-Nyarko, Fatima Ceesay, Catherine Okoi, Lesley McGee, Keith P. Klugman, Robert F. Breiman, Michael R. Barer, Richard A. Adegbola, Martin Antonio, Stephen D. Bentley, Brenda A. Kwambana-Adams
Summary: The study reveals high carriage rates of Streptococcus pneumoniae in newborns, reaching 31% by the end of the first week after birth and quickly exceeding 95% after two months. A significant proportion of infants were found to be co-colonized with multiple serotypes, with an overall mean carriage duration of 24 days and considerable variation between serotypes.
FRONTIERS IN PEDIATRICS
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Asia -Sophia Wolf, Elena Mitsi, Scott Jones, Simon P. Jochems, Lucy Roalfe, Deus Thindwa, James E. Meiring, Jacquline Msefula, Farouck Bonomali, Tikhala Makhaza Jere, Maurice Mbewe, Andrea M. Collins, Stephen B. Gordon, Melita A. Gordon, Daniela M. Ferreira, Neil French, David Goldblatt, Robert S. Heyderman, Todd D. Swarthout
Summary: This study investigates the protective mechanism of childhood pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) against pneumococcal carriage. The results show no clear relationship between antibody quality and protection from carriage, suggesting that PCV13-driven antibody quality may mature with age and exposure.
Article
Microbiology
Anne L. Wyllie, Sidiya Mbodj, Darani A. Thammavongsa, Maikel S. Hislop, Devyn Yolda-Carr, Pari Waghela, Maura Nakahata, Anne E. Stahlfeld, Noel J. Vega, Anna York, Orchid M. Allicock, Geisa Wilkins, Andrea Ouyang, Laura Siqueiros, Yvette Strong, Kelly Anastasio, Ronika Alexander-Parrish, Adriano Arguedas, Bradford D. Gessner, Daniel M. Weinberger
Summary: The reported rates of invasive pneumococcal disease were significantly lower than usual during the 2020/2021 winter following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, there is limited understanding of pneumococcus carriage rates among adults during this period.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Sonia T. Almeida, Ana Cristina Paulo, Filipe Froes, Herminia de Lencastre, Raquel Sa-Leao
Summary: The study found that the pneumococcal carrier state in healthy adults is more dynamic than generally assumed, with frequent acquisition and often long duration of carriage. This suggests that some adults may act as reservoirs of pneumococci, impacting the potential herd effects achievable through children vaccination depending on the community's social structure. These findings are important for designing strategies to prevent pneumococcal disease in adults.
JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Effua Usuf, Christian Bottomley, Rebecca Gladstone, Ebrima Bojang, Kaddijatou Jawneh, Isatou Cox, Edrissa Jallow, Abdoulie Bojang, Brian Greenwood, Richard A. Adegbola, Stephen D. Bentley, Philip C. Hill, Anna Roca
Summary: The study shows that the prevalence of PCV13 VT has decreased since the introduction of PCV13, but significant carriage of these serotypes remains in all age groups. The prevalence of PCV13 NVT varies among different age groups, with an increase in children under 2 years old and a decrease in older children and adults.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ryan Robinson, Christopher A. Myerscough, Nengjie He, Helen Hill, Wendi Shepherd, Patricia Gonzalez-Dias, Konstantinos Liatsikos, Samuel Latham, Fred Fyles, Klara Doherty, Phoebe Hazenberg, Fathimath Shiham, Daniella Mclenghan, Hugh Adler, Vicki Randles, Seher Zaidi, Angela Hyder-Wright, Elena Mitsi, Hassan Burhan, Ben B. Morton, Jamie M. Rylance, Maia M. Lesosky, Stephen Gordon, Andrea Collins, Daniela Ferreira
Summary: Experimental Human Pneumococcal Challenge (EHPC) is a safe procedure for studying vaccine research, with no serious adverse events related to pneumococcal inoculation. Colonised individuals were more likely to experience safety events, but most symptoms were mild and could be managed conservatively. Outpatient human pneumococcal challenge can be conducted safely with appropriate safety monitoring procedures in place.
Article
Immunology
Louise K. Francois Watkins, Jennifer L. Milucky, Lesley McGee, Florence Sine St-Surin, Pengbo Liu, Theresa Tran, Sopio Chochua, Gerard Joseph, Nong Shang, Stanley Juin, Patrick Dely, Roopal Patel, Chris A. Van Beneden
Summary: In Port-au-Prince, Haiti, approximately a quarter of healthy children were colonized with vaccine-type pneumococcal serotypes, indicating potential impact of PCV13 introduction nationwide in reducing pneumococcal carriage.
JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Thundon Ngamprasertchai, Pinyo Rattanaumpawan, Jaranit Kaewkungwal, Pochamana Phisalprapa, Piriyaporn Chongtrakool, Anusak Kerdsin, Viravarn Luvira, Janjira Thaipadungpanit, Rattagan Kajeekul, Jintana Srisompong, Picha Yincharoen, Kulkanya Chokephaibulkit, Saranath Lawpoolsri
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the association between COVID-19 and pneumococcal carriage, and determine the prevalence and serotype distribution of pneumococcal carriage among high-risk Thai adults. The results showed a high prevalence of pneumococcal carriage in Thais, with the majority of serotypes not covered by the vaccine. Further studies are needed to explore the relationship between carriage serotypes and disease.
JOURNAL OF INFECTION AND PUBLIC HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Michaela Tinggaard, Hans-Christian Slotved, Randi Fons Petersen, Nichlas Hovmand, Thomas Benfield
Summary: A study found that the carriage rate of Streptococcus pneumoniae among older adults in Denmark decreased during the COVID-19 lockdown and increased to pre-pandemic levels after the reopening of society.
OPEN FORUM INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Review
Infectious Diseases
Amgad Gamil, Kulkanya Chokephaibulkit, Wanatpreeya Phongsamart, Chonnamet Techasaensiri, Barameht Piralam, Ruangwit Thamaree
Summary: This review examines the epidemiology, serotype prevalence, antibiotic resistance, and national vaccination recommendations for pneumococcal disease in Thailand. PCV13 is the only vaccine licensed for adults in Thailand and has the potential to reduce disease burden in all age groups, particularly in children and older adults.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Yfat Yahalom-Ronen, Noam Erez, Morly Fisher, Hadas Tamir, Boaz Politi, Hagit Achdout, Sharon Melamed, Itai Glinert, Shay Weiss, Inbar Cohen-Gihon, Ofir Israeli, Marina Izak, Michal Mandelboim, Yoseph Caraco, Noa Madar-Balakirski, Adva Mechaly, Eilat Shinar, Ran Zichel, Daniel Cohen, Adi Beth-Din, Anat Zvi, Hadar Marcus, Tomer Israely, Nir Paran
Summary: The BriLife(R) vaccine candidate shows neutralizing antibody response against multiple SARS-CoV-2 variants, suggesting potential advantages against future variants.
Article
Immunology
Sivan Gazit, Roei Shlezinger, Galit Perez, Roni Lotan, Asaf Peretz, Amir Ben-Tov, Esma Herzel, Hillel Alapi, Dani Cohen, Khitam Muhsen, Gabriel Chodick, Tal Patalon
Summary: The study compared the long-term protection of naturally acquired immunity to vaccine-induced immunity against SARS-CoV-2. The findings suggest that natural immunity provides stronger protection against infection and symptomatic disease caused by the Delta variant compared to the BNT162b2 vaccine-induced immunity.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Yelena Lapidot, Leah Reshef, Mayan Maya, Dani Cohen, Uri Gophna, Khitam Muhsen
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the impacts of household environmental and socioeconomic factors on the gut microbiome of school-age children. By analyzing stool samples from 176 Israeli Arab children aged six to nine years from three villages of different socioeconomic status, differences in microbial composition and metabolic pathways were identified. Living in a low socioeconomic status village and high household crowding were associated with increased bacterial richness and significant differences in microbial composition and metabolic pathways.
NPJ BIOFILMS AND MICROBIOMES
(2022)
Review
Immunology
Dani Cohen, Shiri Meron-Sudai, Anya Bialik, Valeria Asato, Shai Ashkenazi
Summary: Shigella is the second most common cause of moderate to severe diarrhea among children worldwide and of diarrheal disease-associated mortality in young children in low-and middle-income countries. Despite numerous efforts to develop Shigella vaccines, none have been licensed for use. Research has shown that IgG antibodies to Shigella lipopolysaccharide (LPS) are associated with protection, providing a solid basis for the development of new conjugate vaccines and other injectable LPS-based vaccines.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Khitam Muhsen, Nimrod Maimon, Amiel Yaron Mizrahi, Boris Boltyansky, Omri Bodenheimer, Zafrira Hillel Diamant, Lea Gaon, Dani Cohen, Ron Dagan
Summary: The results of this cohort study suggest that receipt of a fourth BNT162b2 dose provided high protection against COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths among LTCF residents during a substantial Omicron variant surge, but the protection against infection was modest.
JAMA INTERNAL MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Dani Cohen, Shai Ashkenazi, Rachel Schneerson, Nahid Farzam, Anya Bialik, Shiri Meron-Sudai, Valeria Asato, Sophy Goren, Tomer Ziv Baran, Khitam Muhsen, Peter B. Gilbert, Calman A. MacLennan
Summary: This study examined the protective effect of Shigella vaccines and found that a certain level of serum IgG against Shigella lipopolysaccharide (LPS) can predict the degree of protection.
CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY AND INFECTION
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Eric S. Donkor, Khitam Muhsen, Sherry A. M. Johnson, Fleischer C. N. Kotey, Nicholas T. K. D. Dayie, Patience B. Tetteh-Quarcoo, Edem M. A. Tette, Mary-Magdalene Osei, Beverly Egyir, Nicholas I. Nii-Trebi, Godfred Owusu-Okyere, Alex Owusu-Ofori, Yonatan Amir, Saritte Perlman, Perdita Hilary Lopes, Adjo Mfodwo, Nicola C. Gordon, Louise Gresham, Mark Smolinski, Dani Cohen
Summary: This study aimed to determine the distribution and antimicrobial resistance patterns of Gram-negative bacteria causing bloodstream infections in Ghana. The results showed high resistance and multidrug resistance to various antibiotics, including cephalosporins, fluoroquinolones, and penicillins, indicating limited effectiveness of these antibiotics in BSI treatment in the country.
Article
Immunology
Yasmin Maor, Eilat Shinar, Marina Izak, Galia Rahav, Tal Brosh-Nissimov, Asa Kessler, Naomi Rahimi-Levene, Odeda Benin-Goren, Dani Cohen, Iris Zohar, Noga Alagem, Sharon Castro, Oren Zimhony
Summary: In this study, convalescent immunoglobulins (cIgGs) were compared with convalescent plasma (CP) for treating COVID-19 patients. The study found that cIgGs did not meet the noninferiority endpoint on day 14 but showed superior performance to CP on day 28. Unvaccinated patients treated with cIgGs had better survival and improvement by day 28.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Sam Miti, Obvious N. Chilyabanyama, Caroline C. Chisenga, Mwelwa Chibuye, Samuel Bosomprah, Chisenga Mumba, Salome Chitondo, Seter Siziya, Dani Cohen, Roma Chilengi, Michelo Simuyandi
Summary: The clinical classification of dysentery has low sensitivity and predictive value in identifying Shigella infections in children under five in Zambia, leading to significant underestimation of the disease burden in this population.
Article
Pediatrics
Yelena Lapidot, Maayan Maya, Leah Reshef, Dani Cohen, Asher Ornoy, Uri Gophna, Khitam Muhsen
Summary: This study aimed to explore the connection between the gut microbiome and cognitive development in school-age children. The research conducted on 165 healthy Israeli Arab children found that there were significant associations between microbiome diversity and cognitive development, with children who had better cognitive development showing a more diverse, even, and rich microbiome.
FRONTIERS IN PEDIATRICS
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Shiri Meron-Sudai, Valeria Asato, Amos Adler, Anya Bialik, Sophy Goren, Ortal Ariel-Cohen, Arava Reizis, Laurence A. Mulard, Armelle Phalipon, Dani Cohen
Summary: SF2a-TT15, a synthetic carbohydrate-based conjugate vaccine candidate against Shigella flexneri 2a, was found to induce a sustained immune response in the majority of volunteers followed up 2 and 3 years post-vaccination. High levels of humoral parameters and specific-IgG memory B-cells determined 3 months after vaccination were good predictors of the durability of the immune response.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Dani Cohen, Marina Izak, Evgeniy Stoyanov, Michal Mandelboim, Saritte Perlman, Yonatan Amir, Sophy Goren, Anya Bialik, Limor Kliker, Nofar Atari, Ruti Yshai, Yona Zaide, Hadar Marcus, Noa Madar-Balakirski, Tomer Israely, Nir Paran, Oren Zimhony, Eilat Shinar, Yasmin Maor, Khitam Muhsen
Summary: This study examined predictors of SARS-CoV-2 reinfection among COVID-19-recovered individuals. The findings showed that strong immune responses after the first infection and subsequent vaccination with the BNT162b2 vaccine provided cross-protection against reinfections with the Delta and Omicron variants.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Hadar Edelman-Klapper, Keren Masha Rabinowitz, Eran Zittan, Ariella Bar-Gil Shitrit, Idan Goren, Irit Avni-Biron, Jacob E. Ollech, Lev Lichtenstein, Hagar Banai-Eran, Henit Yanai, Yifat Snir, Maor H. Pauker, Adi Friedenberg, Adva Levy-Barda, Yelena Broitman, Haim Ben Zvi, Tsachi-Tsadok Perets, Rami Eliakim, Revital Barkan, Sophy Goren, Dani Cohen, Iris Dotan
Summary: Vaccination plays a crucial role in controlling the COVID-19 pandemic, but patients with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) treated with anti-TNF-alpha may have lower serologic response after a third vaccine dose. This study suggests that a fourth vaccine dose may be needed for this patient population.
Article
Microbiology
Shubham Mathur, Svetlana Bardenstein, Daniel Cohen, Menachem Banai
Summary: Serum PCR-based approach can be used for the diagnosis and control of small ruminant brucellosis, as well as differentiation between infected and vaccinated animals. Using this method, we identified the involvement of both the vaccine strain and a field strain in an outbreak of brucellosis. This method provides a novel approach to study the etiology of brucellosis using serum samples.
MICROBIOLOGY RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Sivan Gazit, Roei Shlezinger, Galit Perez, Roni Lotan, Asaf Peretz, Amir Ben-Tov, Esma Herzel, Hillel Alapi, Dani Cohen, Khitam Muhsen, Gabriel Chodick, Tal Patalon
Summary: This study compared the incidence of SARS-CoV-2 reinfection in individuals with prior infection who received a single dose of BNT162b2 vaccine to those who did not. Results showed a significantly decreased risk of reinfection and symptomatic disease in vaccinated individuals. While reinfection was rare, vaccination provided additional protection for previously infected individuals.
ANNALS OF INTERNAL MEDICINE
(2022)
