Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Allison N. Grossberg, Lilia A. Koza, Aurelie Ledreux, Chad Prusmack, Hari Krishnan Krishnamurthy, Vasanth Jayaraman, Ann-Charlotte Granholm, Daniel A. Linseman
Summary: This study presents results from a multiplex serology test for assessing COVID-19 antibody responses, showing distinct dynamics of IgG, IgM, and IgA responses in patients with different disease severity. It suggests that antibody responses to SARS-CoV-2 may serve as important biomarkers for assessing the risk of viral transmission.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Virology
Chad Pickering, Bo Zhou, Gege Xu, Rachel Rice, Prasanna Ramachandran, Hector Huang, Tho D. Pham, Jeffrey M. Schapiro, Xin Cong, Saborni Chakraborty, Karlie Edwards, Srinivasa T. Reddy, Faheem Guirgis, Taia T. Wang, Daniel Serie, Klaus Lindpaintner
Summary: Glycosylation, the most common form of protein post-translational modification, is critical for protein structure and function. By analyzing the differential glycoisoform distributions of serum glycopeptides in COVID-19 patients using advanced techniques, significant differences were found between symptomatic and asymptomatic patients, as well as between symptomatic patients and healthy controls or patients with bacterial sepsis. Machine learning techniques were used to predict symptomatic COVID-19 infection based on glycoprotein profiles. These findings suggest the potential value of glycoproteomic biomarkers in understanding and managing severe infectious conditions.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Manaf Al-Qahtani, Salman AlAli, AbdulKarim AbdulRahman, Adel Salman Alsayyad, Sameer Otoom, Stephen L. Atkin
Summary: The study found that asymptomatic COVID-19 patients were more prevalent than symptomatic patients and may act as an infection reservoir; there was no significant difference in viral clearance time between symptomatic and asymptomatic patients in virus retesting; asymptomatic patients who tested positive had a faster viral clearance time than those who were asymptomatic upon arrival.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Entao Li, Shen Wang, Wenwen He, Jun He, Luogeng Liu, Xiaotuan Zhang, Songtao Yang, Feihu Yan, Yuwei Gao, Bin Liu, Xianzhu Xia
Summary: This study investigates the clinical characteristics, cytokine responses, and antibody levels in asymptomatic carriers and symptomatic patients with COVID-19. The results show that symptomatic patients have higher levels of cytokines, while asymptomatic carriers have higher levels of specific antibodies. Comparable levels of neutralizing antibodies were detected in both groups.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Rami H. Al-Rifai, Juan Acuna, Farida Ismail Al Hossany, Bashir Aden, Shamma Abdullah Al Memari, Shereena Khamis Al Mazrouei, Luai A. Ahmed
Summary: The study analyzed the symptom status and related factors of the first cohort of COVID-19 cases in Abu Dhabi, UAE, finding associations between symptomatic cases and work environments as well as chronic diseases. Due to a significant proportion of asymptomatic cases, recommendations were made for isolating asymptomatic cases and raising awareness among high-risk populations.
Article
Microbiology
Shahrzad Shoraka, Seyed Reza Mohebbi, Seyed Masoud Hosseini, Mohammad Reza Zali
Summary: This study investigated the levels of cell-free mitochondrial DNA (cf-mtDNA) in COVID-19 patients and found that asymptomatic patients had significantly higher levels of cf-mtDNA compared to symptomatic cases. However, symptomatic patients had higher levels of cf-nuclear DNA (cf-nDNA) compared to asymptomatic cases. These results suggest that cf-mtDNA may play an important role in the clinical outcome of COVID-19 and has potential as a diagnostic biomarker for COVID-19 subgroups.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Miftahul Faridl, Karlina Mellyani, Karimatu Khoirunnisa, Popi Septiani, Ernawati Arifin Giri-Rachman, Husna Nugrahapraja, Ema Rahmawati, Cut Nur Cinthia Alamanda, Ryan Bayusantika Ristandi, Rifky Walujayati Rachman, Rini Robiani, Azzania Fibriani
Summary: This study aimed to characterize asymptomatic and mildly symptomatic patients with COVID-19 by observing changes in gene expression profiles and possible bacterial coinfection. The results showed differential gene regulation between the asymptomatic and mildly symptomatic groups, with modulation of RNA transport observed in both groups and bacterial coinfection in symptomatic patients. Additionally, no link was found between viral variants and disease severity.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Matthew L. Robinson, Agha Mirza, Nicholas Gallagher, Alec Boudreau, Lydia Garcia Jacinto, Tong Yu, Julie Norton, Chun Huai Luo, Abigail Conte, Ruifeng Zhou, Kim Kafka, Justin Hardick, David D. McManus, Laura L. Gibson, Andrew Pekosz, Heba Mostafa, Yukari C. Manabe
Summary: This study compared the performance of different sample types and testing methods in detecting SARS-CoV-2 in close contacts of cases. The results showed that more sensitive platforms may identify additional cases missed by the reference nucleic acid test. Repeat or serial testing with both antigen and molecular assays may be necessary for individuals with a high pretest probability for infection.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Stuart Astbury, Catherine J. Reynolds, David K. Butler, Diana C. Munoz-Sandoval, Kai-Min Lin, Franziska P. Pieper, Ashley Otter, Afroditi Kouraki, Lola Cusin, Jessica Nightingale, Amrita Vijay, Simon Craxford, Guruprasad P. Aithal, Patrick J. Tighe, Joseph M. Gibbons, Corinna Pade, George Joy, Mala Maini, Benny Chain, Amanda Semper, Timothy Brooks, Benjamin J. Ollivere, Aine McKnight, Mahdad Noursadeghi, Thomas A. Treibel, Charlotte Manisty, James C. Moon, Ana M. Valdes, Rosemary J. Boyton, Daniel M. Altmann
Summary: SARS-CoV-2 infection can lead to a range of outcomes, influenced by factors such as challenge dose, age, gender, comorbidity, and host genomic variation. Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) polymorphisms may affect immune response and disease outcomes. This study investigated the association between HLA-II alleles and symptomatic COVID-19, virus-specific antibody, and T-cell immunity in UK healthcare workers (HCWs). The results showed that certain HLA-II alleles were associated with an increased risk of symptomatic COVID-19 and altered immune responsiveness to viral proteins.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Si Hyun Kim, Youn Jeong Kim, Yeon Jeong Jeong, Ji Hye Park, Shin Young Lee, Mi Sun Choi, Sang Yong Kim
Summary: The construction of non-contact community treatment centers in Korea, where asymptomatic and mildly symptomatic COVID-19 patients can monitor their own vital signs using a smartphone app, proves to be an effective solution to overcome medical resource shortages and reduce the risk of infection transmission to healthcare workers.
EPIDEMIOLOGY AND INFECTION
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Jumana Mansour AlJishi, Alya Hassan Alhajjaj, Fatimah Lateef Alkhabbaz, Taaweel Hussain AlAbduljabar, Ahmad Alsaif, Hussain Alsaif, Kawther Saeed Alomran, Ghada Ali Aljanobi, Zainab Alghawi, Mohammed Alsaif, Jaffar A. Al-Tawfiq
Summary: In the initial Epicenter of the COVID-19 in Saudi Arabia, the majority of the patients were asymptomatic returning travelers and nearly half of the patients had comorbidities.
JOURNAL OF INFECTION AND PUBLIC HEALTH
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Jianbin Tan, Yang Ge, Leonardo Martinez, Jimin Sun, Changwei Li, Adrianna Westbrook, Enfu Chen, Jinren Pan, Yang Li, Wei Cheng, Feng Ling, Zhiping Chen, Ye Shen, Hui Huang
Summary: Asymptomatic COVID-19 cases have high transmissibility and play a significant role in outbreaks.
EPIDEMIOLOGY AND INFECTION
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Ricky Y. T. Chiu, Noah Kojima, Garrett L. Mosley, Kwok Kin Cheng, David Y. Pereira, Matthew Brobeck, Tsun Leung Chan, Jonpaul Sze-Tsing Zee, Harsha Kittur, Cheuk Yiu Tenny Chung, Eric Tsang, Kajal Maran, Raymond Wai-Hung Yung, Alex Chin-Pang Leung, Ryan Ho-Ping Siu, Jessica Pui-Ling Ng, Tsz Hei Choi, Mei Wai Fung, Wai Sing Chan, Ho Yin Lam, Koon Hung Lee, Sean Parkin, Felix C. Chao, Stephen Ka-Nung Ho, Daniel R. Marshak, Edmond Shiu-Kwan Ma, Jeffrey D. Klausner
Summary: The INDICAID COVID-19 rapid antigen test showed high sensitivity and specificity in both symptomatic and asymptomatic populations, with significant improvements in expediting positive RT-PCR test results through a dual-track testing algorithm. This test, when used in conjunction with RT-PCR, offers a more efficient strategy for community testing and controlling SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2021)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Dhammika Leshan Wannigama, Mohan Amarasiri, Cameron Hurst, Phatthranit Phattharapornjaroen, Shuichi Abe, Parichart Hongsing, S. M. Ali Hosseini Rad, Lachlan Pearson, Thammakorn Saethang, Sirirat Luk-in, Naris Kueakulpattana, Robin James Storer, Puey Ounjai, Alain Jacquet, Asada Leelahavanichkul, Tanittha Chatsuwan
Summary: This study utilized wastewater to monitor SARS-CoV-2 RNA, detecting viral RNA in both the city center and suburbs of Bangkok. A sharp increase in copy numbers was observed in October to November, indicating a potential early warning system for upcoming outbreaks.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Cosby G. Arnold, Iain Konigsberg, Jason Y. Adams, Sunita Sharma, Neil Aggarwal, Andrew Hopkinson, Alexis Vest, Monica Campbell, Meher Boorgula, Ivana Yang, Christopher Gignoux, Kathleen C. Barnes, Andrew A. Monte
Summary: RT-PCR is the primary clinical test for diagnosing COVID-19, but it may not detect the infection in asymptomatic individuals. This study used methylation profiling to analyze peripheral blood samples from 164 COVID-19 positive patients and found that differences in methylation patterns may distinguish asymptomatic from symptomatic infections.
Article
Allergy
Cristiano Caruso, Colantuono Stefania, Gabriele Ciasca, Umberto Basile, Riccardo Di Santo, Diego Bagnasco, Giovanni Passalacqua, Marco Caminati, Schiappoli Michele, Gianenrico Senna, Enrico Heffler, G. Walter Canonica, Nunzio Crimi, Rossella Intravaia, Corso De Eugenio, Davide Firinu, Antonio Gasbarrini, Stefano R. Del Giacco
Summary: This retrospective study evaluated the prevalence of SE-IgE sensitization in a multicentric Italian cohort of severe asthmatic patients. SEB-IgE sensitization was found to be associated with female gender and comorbidities such as CRS and CRSwNP. No significant associations were observed between SEB-IgE sensitization and atopy, exacerbations, and corticosteroid dosages. Patients with SEB-IgE sensitization were younger and had an earlier disease onset, suggesting that it may be an independent risk factor for developing asthma.
Article
Immunology
Cinzia Milito, Francesco Cinetto, Giulia Garzi, Andrea Palladino, Marco Puca, Elena Brambilla, Camilla De Vitis, Giulia Costanzo, Riccardo Scarpa, Alessandra Punziano, Gianluca Lagnese, Stefano Del Giacco, Giuseppe Spadaro, Isabella Quinti, Davide Firinu
Summary: During the COVID-19 vaccination campaign, safety data on vaccine administration in patients with inborn errors of immunity (IEI) shows that after receiving two doses of the vaccine, over 60% of patients experienced mild reactogenicity-related symptoms (RrS) and adverse events (AEs). As the number of vaccine doses increased, patients reported fewer AEs. Patients aged 50 years and older had a lower incidence of AEs and RrS. These safety data are important for addressing vaccine hesitancy in IEI patients and informing healthcare providers.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Igor Portoghese, Melinda Siddi, Luchino Chessa, Giulia Costanzo, Vanessa Garcia-Larsen, Andrea Perra, Roberto Littera, Giada Sambugaro, Stefano Del Giacco, Marcello Campagna, Davide Firinu
Summary: Addressing vaccine hesitancy and conspiracy beliefs among healthcare workers is crucial. This study aimed to identify latent profiles of vaccine hesitancy among Italian healthcare workers and their relationship with antecedents and intention to receive a fourth dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Four distinct profiles were identified, with conspiracy beliefs being associated with hesitancy.
Article
Oncology
Ana Florencia Vega-Benedetti, Eleonora Loi, Loredana Moi, Patrizia Zavattari
Summary: This study investigated DNA methylation alterations at REST binding sites and their flanking regions in different types of cancer. The results suggest that these alterations may be associated with REST dysfunction and provide the possibility to develop novel therapeutic interventions based on modulating this master regulator to restore aberrant methylation of its target regions into a normal status.
CLINICAL EPIGENETICS
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Cinzia Milito, Davide Firinu, Patrick Bez, Annalisa Villa, Alessandra Punziano, Gianluca Lagnese, Giulia Costanzo, Leanne P. M. van Leeuwen, Beatrice Piazza, Carla Maria Deiana, Giancarlo d'Ippolito, Stefano Renato Del Giacco, Marcello Rattazzi, Giuseppe Spadaro, Isabella Quinti, Riccardo Scarpa, Virgil A. S. H. Dalm, Francesco Cinetto
Summary: CVID patients have a higher risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection, but the outcomes are similar between Italian and Dutch cohorts despite different treatment approaches. Therefore, specific treatment should be reserved for selected subgroups of CVID patients based on pre-existing conditions.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Allergy
Sebastiano Gangemi, Alessandro Tonacci, Giulia Costanzo, Davide Firinu, Stefano Del Giacco
Summary: Asthma is a chronic respiratory disease that affects a large number of people worldwide. Analysing big data on asthma from different countries can provide a detailed understanding of the current disease burden. Our study investigates the correlations between asthma and key socio-demographic parameters from different world databases. We found that asthma prevalence is directly correlated with higher GDP and HDI, indicating a higher prevalence in wealthier and more developed countries.
WORLD ALLERGY ORGANIZATION JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Roberta Parente, Silvio Sartorio, Luisa Brussino, Tiziana De Pasquale, Alessandra Zoli, Stefano Agolini, Ester Di Agosta, Paolina Quattrocchi, Paolo Borrelli, Donatella Bignardi, Angelica Petraroli, Riccardo Senter, Valentina Popescu Janu, Chiara Cogliati, Maria Domenica Guarino, Oliviero Rossi, Davide Firinu, Stefano Pucci, Giuseppe Spadaro, Massimo Triggiani, Mauro Cancian, Andrea Zanichelli
Summary: This study aimed to collect data on the safety and tolerability of COVID-19 vaccines in patients with angioedema due to C1 inhibitor deficiency. The results showed no increase in the frequency of acute attacks within 72 hours following COVID-19 vaccinations compared to the rate before vaccination. This suggests that adult patients with angioedema due to C1 inhibitor deficiency can safely receive SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in a controlled medical setting and should have access to on-demand therapy.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Martino Deidda, Antonio Noto, Davide Firinu, Cristina Piras, William Cordeddu, Claudia Depau, Giulia Costanzo, Stefano Del Giacco, Luigi Atzori, Giuseppe Mercuro, Christian Cadeddu Dessalvi
Summary: This study evaluated the three-dimensional echocardiographic parameters of the right ventricle (RV) and the metabolomic profile in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and found correlations between the two and the severity of SLE. The results suggest that RV dysfunction caused by chronic inflammatory state in SLE can be detected early by three-dimensional echocardiography, and its severity is related to systemic organ damage.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Simone Serrao, Cristina Contini, Giulia Guadalupi, Alessandra Olianas, Greca Lai, Irene Messana, Massimo Castagnola, Giulia Costanzo, Davide Firinu, Stefano Del Giacco, Barbara Manconi, Tiziana Cabras
Summary: Through mass spectrometry analysis, we found that the protein-protein interaction changes of the cystatin D-C(26) interactome are associated with systemic mastocytosis, providing a basis for future quantitative proteomic analysis and immune validation.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Giovanni Costanzo, Giulia Anna Maria Luigia Costanzo, Lorenzo Del Moro, Emanuele Nappi, Corrado Pelaia, Francesca Puggioni, Giorgio Walter Canonica, Enrico Heffler, Giovanni Paoletti
Summary: Mast cells play a role in various physiological processes and diseases, including allergies, tissue homeostasis, infection, wound healing, kidney injury protection, pollution effects, and cancer. Understanding their role in respiratory allergic diseases may lead to novel therapy targets. Various strategies, such as targeting mediators released by mast cells or inhibiting mast cell activation, have been explored to attenuate their damaging impact.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Biology
Andrea Giovanni Ledda, Giulia Costanzo, Giada Sambugaro, Cristiano Caruso, Martina Bullita, Maria Luisa Di Martino, Paolo Serra, Davide Firinu, Stefano Del Giacco
Summary: This study investigated the effects of dupilumab on inflammatory biomarkers in patients with asthma and chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP). The results showed that after treatment with dupilumab, levels of eosinophils and eosinophil cationic protein initially increased and then gradually declined, returning to baseline levels. Additionally, serum total IgE and fractional exhaled nitric oxide levels decreased over time, while FEV1 and FEV1% improved significantly.
Article
Biology
Patrick Bez, Giancarlo D'ippolito, Carla Maria Deiana, Renato Finco Gambier, Andrea Pica, Giulia Costanzo, Giulia Garzi, Riccardo Scarpa, Nicholas Landini, Francesco Cinetto, Davide Firinu, Cinzia Milito
Summary: This article reports a case series of 5 immunocompromised patients who were treated with combination therapy or multiple therapeutic lines for SARS-CoV-2 infection. The results suggest that combination therapy may be effective in combating SARS-CoV-2 infection in patients with antibody deficiency and impaired vaccine response.
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Marina Di Pino, Maria Filomena Ruberto, Giulia Costanzo, Davide Firinu, Maria Sebastiana Piras, Mario Nicola Mura, Stefano Del Giacco, Ferdinando Coghe, Francesco Marongiu, Doris Barcellona
Summary: Chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) is closely linked to the coagulation cascade and inflammation pathways, possibly indicating a low-grade disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) and increased platelet turnover. Omalizumab does not affect the relationship between the immune and hemostatic systems.
CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE
(2023)