Article
Immunology
Arianna Pani, Alessandra Romandini, Alice Schianchi, Michele Senatore, Oscar M. Gagliardi, Gianluca Gazzaniga, Stefano Agliardi, Tommaso Conti, Paolo A. Schenardi, Matteo Maggi, Stefano D'Onghia, Valentina Panetta, Silvia Renica, Silvia Nerini Molteni, Chiara Vismara, Daniela Campisi, Michaela Bertuzzi, Simona Giroldi, Laura Zoppini, Mauro Moreno, Marco Merli, Marco Bosio, Massimo Puoti, Francesco Scaglione
Summary: This study evaluated the increase in antibody titers 14 days after the booster dose of BNT162b2. The results showed a potent universal antibody response regardless of pre-booster vaccine seronegativity.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Dan H. Barouch
Summary: This article reviews the protective effects of vaccination and prior infection on severe Covid-19, and proposes future research directions.
NEW ENGLAND JOURNAL OF MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Qin Liu, Qi Su, Fen Zhang, Hein M. Tun, Joyce Wing Yan Mak, Grace Chung-Yan Lui, Susanna So Shan Ng, Jessica Y. L. Ching, Amy Li, Wenqi Lu, Chenyu Liu, Chun Pan Cheung, David S. C. Hui, Paul K. S. Chan, Francis Ka Leung Chan, Siew C. Ng
Summary: By integrating clinical features and multi-omics data, the authors identified specific gut microbiome patterns associated with disease severity and development of post-acute COVID-19 syndrome. These findings highlight the potential utility of host phenotype and multi-kingdom microbiota profiling as a prognostic tool for patients with COVID-19.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Review
Oncology
Shalini Fernando, Mesel Veli, Borzoueh Mohammadi, Andrew Millar, Khurum Khan
Summary: This review examines the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on patients with upper gastrointestinal cancers, highlighting the significant disruptions caused in health services and cancer management. The global spread of the virus has posed challenges for the medical community and patients alike.
Editorial Material
Immunology
Rustom Antia, M. Elizabeth Halloran
Summary: The article discusses the basic concepts underlying the transition from an epidemic to an endemic state, as well as the implications of this transition for COVID-19.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Marcia C. Castro, Sun Kim, Lorena Barberia, Ana Freitas Ribeiro, Susie Gurzenda, Karina Braga Ribeiro, Erin Abbott, Jeffrey Blossom, Beatriz Rache, Burton H. Singer
Summary: The study found that COVID-19 in Brazil is spreading rapidly across municipalities with distinct spatial and temporal patterns of clustering, trajectories, and speed. Analysis shows that inadequate policy measures have led to high transmission and mortality burdens. The current surge in cases and deaths, along with the circulation of concerning variants, highlights the need for government to strengthen prevention and control measures.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
A. J. Trindade, S. Izard, K. Coppa, J. S. Hirsch, C. Lee, S. K. Satapathy
Summary: This study found that the use of anticoagulation or antiplatelet agents was not a risk factor for gastrointestinal bleeding in hospitalized COVID-19 patients, but patients who developed gastrointestinal bleeding during hospitalization had an increased risk of mortality.
JOURNAL OF INTERNAL MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Peter Chen, Ajay Nirula, Barry Heller, Robert L. Gottlieb, Joseph Boscia, Jason Morris, Gregory Huhn, Jose Cardona, Bharat Mocherla, Valentina Stosor, Imad Shawa, Andrew C. Adams, Jacob Van Naarden, Kenneth L. Custer, Lei Shen, Michael Durante, Gerard Oakley, Andrew E. Schade, Janelle Sabo, Dipak R. Patel, Paul Klekotka, Daniel M. Skovronsky
Summary: LY-CoV555, a neutralizing antibody, showed promising results in reducing viral load, improving symptoms, and lowering the risk of hospitalization among patients with mild or moderate Covid-19. While one of the doses appeared to accelerate the decline in viral load, others did not show significant effects by day 11.
NEW ENGLAND JOURNAL OF MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Constantinos Kurt Wibmer, Frances Ayres, Tandile Hermanus, Mashudu Madzivhandila, Prudence Kgagudi, Brent Oosthuysen, Bronwen E. Lambson, Tulio de Oliveira, Marion Vermeulen, Karin van der Berg, Theresa Rossouw, Michael Boswell, Veronica Ueckermann, Susan Meiring, Anne von Gottberg, Cheryl Cohen, Lynn Morris, Jinal N. Bhiman, Penny L. Moore
Summary: The SARS-CoV-2 virus in the B.1.351 variant discovered in South Africa can evade neutralization by most antibodies when expressed, but does not affect binding by convalescent plasma. This suggests the potential for reinfection with antigenically distinct variants and predicts reduced efficacy of spike-based vaccines.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Emanuele Andreano, Ida Paciello, Silvia Marchese, Lorena Donnici, Giulio Pierleoni, Giulia Piccini, Noemi Manganaro, Elisa Pantano, Valentina Abbiento, Piero Pileri, Linda Benincasa, Ginevra Giglioli, Margherita Leonardi, Piet Maes, Concetta De Santi, Claudia Sala, Emanuele Montomoli, Raffaele De Francesco, Rino Rappuoli
Summary: In this study, Andreano and Paciello et al. provide insights into the functional and genetic characteristics of the Omicron BA.1 and BA.2 cross-protective antibody response. Their findings reveal that SARS-CoV-2 vaccines can induce neutralizing antibodies that cross-neutralize the Omicron variants and SARS-CoV-1 virus.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Review
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Sazada Siddiqui, Heba Waheeb Saeed Alhamdi, Huda Ahmed Alghamdi
Summary: COVID-19 is highly contagious and has caused major disruptions around the world. Prevention is crucial through measures such as self-isolation and vaccination.
FRONTIERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
William R. Morgenlander, Stephanie N. Henson, Daniel R. Monaco, Athena Chen, Kirsten Littlefield, Evan M. Bloch, Eric Fujimura, Ingo Ruczinski, Andrew R. Crowley, Harini Natarajan, Savannah E. Butler, Joshua A. Weiner, Mamie Z. Li, Tania S. Bonny, Sarah E. Benner, Ashwin Balagopal, David Sullivan, Shmuel Shoham, Thomas C. Quinn, Susan H. Eshleman, Arturo Casadevall, Andrew D. Redd, Oliver Laeyendecker, Margaret E. Ackerman, Andrew Pekosz, Stephen J. Elledge, Matthew Robinson, Aaron A. R. Tobian, H. Benjamin Larman
Summary: This study found strong correlation between the functionality of COVID-19 convalescent plasma and polyclonal antibody targeting of specific peptides in the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. Antibody responses to specific coronaviruses correlated with the development of highly neutralizing antibodies against CoV-2. Plasma donations reactive to the CoV-2 spike receptor binding domain had higher neutralizing titers.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL INVESTIGATION
(2021)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Chang-Sheng Xia, Minghua Zhan, Yudong Liu, Zhi-Hong Yue, Ying Song, Feifei Zhang, Hui Wang
Summary: This study assessed the levels of protective antibodies in SARS survivors with and without the COVID-19 vaccine, and found that SARS survivors have protective antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 even without vaccination, and generate a stronger antibody response after vaccination compared to controls.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS
(2023)
Review
Infectious Diseases
Dasha Majra, Jayme Benson, Jennifer Pitts, Justin Stebbing
Summary: Super spreader events (SSEs) can be categorized into 'societal' and 'isolated' events, with the former posing a greater threat and the latter being more easily quarantined.
JOURNAL OF INFECTION
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Zeli Zhang, Jose Mateus, Camila H. Coelho, Jennifer M. Dan, Carolyn Rydyznski Moderbacher, Rosa Isela Galvez, Fernanda H. Cortes, Alba Grifoni, Alison Tarke, James Chang, E. Alexandar Escarrega, Christina Kim, Benjamin Goodwin, Nathaniel Bloom, April Frazier, Daniela Weiskopf, Alessandro Sette, Shane Crotty
Summary: Multiple COVID-19 vaccines have successfully protected against symptomatic cases and deaths. Comparisons of T cell, B cell, and antibody responses to different vaccines can provide insights into protective immunity against COVID-19, particularly immune memory. mRNA vaccines and Ad26.COV2.S induced strong T cell responses, while mRNA vaccines showed substantial declines in antibodies.
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Yasser Fouad, Gamal Esmat, Reda Elwakil, Serag Zakaria, Ayman Yosry, Imam Waked, Maissa El-Razky, Wahid Doss, Magdy El-Serafy, Ebraheem Mostafa, Mahmood Anees, Mohamed A. Sakr, Nadia AbdelAty, Ashraf Omar, Samy Zaki, Amgad Al-Zahaby, Hamdy Mahfouz, Maysaa Abdalla, Mahmoud Albendary, Abdel-Khalek Hamed, Ahmed Gomaa, Adel Hasan, Sherif Abdel-Baky, Medhat El Sahhar, Gamal Shiha, Dina Attia, Ebada Saeed, Enas Kamal, Shamardan Bazeed, Mai Mehrez, Shereen Abdelaleem, Yasmine Gaber, Mohammed Abdallah, Asmaa Salama, Doaa A. Tawab, Shaymaa Nafady
Summary: The landscape of chronic liver disease in Egypt has undergone significant changes in the past few decades, with a rise in the prevalence of metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD). However, there are no regional guidelines in place to address this issue. This document presents clinical practice guidelines developed by Egyptian opinion leaders on MAFLD screening, diagnosis, and management, taking into account local situations and the burden on the healthcare sector.
SAUDI JOURNAL OF GASTROENTEROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Mohamed Negm, Ahmed Bahaa, Ahmed Farrag, Rania M. Lithy, Hedy A. Badary, Mahmoud Essam, Shimaa Kamel, Mohamed Sakr, Waleed Abd El Aaty, Mostafa Shamkh, Ahmed Basiony, Ibrahim Dawoud, Hany Shehab
Summary: Intermittent fasting (IF) during Ramadan was associated with worsening of clinical parameters in patients diagnosed with UC, especially in older patients and those with higher baseline calprotectin levels. However, IF during Ramadan was not associated with adverse effects on objective inflammatory markers (CRP and calprotectin).
BMC GASTROENTEROLOGY
(2022)
Letter
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Nahum Mendez-Sanchez, Elisabetta Bugianesi, Robert G. Gish, Frank Lammert, Herbert Tilg, Mindie H. Nguyen, Shiv K. Sarin, Nuria Fabrellas, Shira Zelber-Sagi, Jian-Gao Fan, Gamal Shiha, Giovanni Targher, Ming-Hua Zheng, Wah-Kheong Chan, Shlomo Vinker, Takumi Kawaguchi, Laurent Castera, Yusuf Yilmaz, Marko Korenjak, C. Wendy Spearman, Mehmet Ungan, Melissa Palmer, Mortada El-Shabrawi, Hans-Juergen Gruss, Jean-Francois Dufour, Anil Dhawan, Heiner Wedemeyer, Jacob George, Luca Valenti, Yasser Fouad, Manuel Romero-Gomez, Mohammed Eslam
LANCET GASTROENTEROLOGY & HEPATOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Reham Samir, Mohamed B. Hashem, Hedy A. Badary, Ahmed Bahaa, Nader Bakheet
Summary: Acute intramural hematoma of the colon is a rare clinical condition that requires a high level of clinical suspicion for early diagnosis and optimal management. CT scan plays a crucial role in demonstrating colonic hematomas, complications, and underlying causes. Treatment strategies should be tailored to the etiology and clinical condition of the patient, with endoscopic management offering a promising minimally invasive option.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GENERAL MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Mohamed S. Abdelbary, Reham Samir, Saeed M. El-Nahaas, Rasha M. H. Shahin, Mohammad El-Sayed, Yasmine Gaber, Omnia Tantawi, Naglaa A. Zayed, Ayman Yosry
Summary: This study assessed the risk of HBV reactivation in chronic HCV patients during or after DAA therapy. The results showed that there is a risk of HBV reactivation in patients who are positive for HBsAg, but past HBV infection does not seem to be a predisposing condition for HBV reactivation.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL HEPATOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Virology
Yasmine Gaber, Shereen Abdel Alem, Sherief Musa, Khaled Amer, Tarek Elnagdy, Wael A. Hassan, Raafat Zaher Abdelrahman, Ahmed Gad, Mohamed A. Ali, Hedy A. Badary, Shereen Shawky, Hala Talaat, Abdel Meguid Kassem, Rabab Fouad
Summary: This study evaluated the correlation between neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) and anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG/total Ig antibodies in asymptomatic and previously symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 patients. The results showed that both groups had NAbs, with higher titers in previously symptomatic patients. There was a correlation between NAbs and anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG/total Ig antibodies, which can be used to estimate the presence of protective immunity.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Deena Jalal, Mariam G. Elzayat, Hend E. El-Shqanqery, Aya A. Diab, Abdelrahman Yahia, Omar Samir, Usama Bakry, Khaled Amer, Mostafa ElNaqeeb, Wael Hassan, Hala S. Talat, Hala M. Farawela, Mona S. Hamdy, May S. Soliman, Maha H. El Sissy, Moushira H. Ezzelarab, Sara M. El Khateeb, Lamyaa H. Soliman, Sara E. Haddad, Ashraf Hatem, Mohamed S. Ismail, Maha Hossam, Tarek Mansour, Lobna Shalaby, Sonia Soliman, Reem Hassan, Mahmoud Hammad, Ibrahim Abdo, Sameh Magdeldin, Alaa ElHaddad, Sherif Abouelnaga, Ahmed A. Sayed
Summary: This study provides genetic, phylogenetic, and clinical correlation data about the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in Egypt. The analyzed samples belonged mostly to clades 20A and 20D, which were present since May 2020. The study also identified four mutations associated with higher disease severity.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Virology
Mostafa W. W. Galal, Mahmoud Ahmed, Yanqiu Shao, Chao Xing, Wael Ali, Abd Elhamid Baly, Abdallah Elfiky, Khaled Amer, John Schoggins, Hesham A. A. Sadek, Zeinab N. N. Gobara
Summary: This retrospective observational study found that the use of mebendazole in COVID-19 patients was associated with shorter hospitalizations in the inpatient cohort and shorter durations of symptom resolution in the outpatient cohort.
ADVANCES IN VIROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Azza Salamony, Yara Shamikh, Khaled Amer, Tarek Elnagdy, Mostafa Elnakib, Abd Allah Yehia, Wael Hassan, Maha Abdelsalam
Summary: The study examined the association between measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) antibodies and the severity of COVID-19 infection. By comparing a control group of healthy individuals, the researchers investigated the correlation between MMR antibody levels and susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection and disease severity in Egyptian COVID-19 patients. The findings suggest that high levels of measles and mumps antibodies do not protect against SARS-CoV-2 infection, while rubella antibodies may offer some protection but increase the risk of case deterioration. MMR antibodies could serve as a guideline for COVID-19 symptom severity and may be used as an economic prognostic marker for early protection against multiple autoimmune organ failure.
ARCHIVUM IMMUNOLOGIAE ET THERAPIAE EXPERIMENTALIS
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Deena Jalal, Omar Samir, Mariam G. Elzayat, Hend E. El-Shqanqery, Aya A. Diab, Lamiaa ElKaialy, Aya M. Mohammed, Donia Hamdy, Islam K. Matar, Khaled Amer, Mostafa Elnakib, Wael Hassan, Tarek Mansour, Sonia Soliman, Reem Hassan, Ghada M. Al-Toukhy, Mahmoud Hammad, Ibrahim Abdo, Ahmed A. Sayed
Summary: The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has shown a pattern of waves with surges in new cases followed by declines. Monitoring and predicting the evolution of viral mutations and variants is crucial. This study sequenced 320 viral genomes from patients in Egypt and identified the dominance of Nextclade 20D in the third wave and the delta variant in the fourth wave. The appearance of omicron variants late in 2021 and the impact of specific mutations on spike protein stability were also observed. These findings contribute to our understanding of viral evolution and can aid in vaccine development and drug targeting.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)