Article
Immunology
Gemma Moncunill, Alfredo Mayor, Rebeca Santano, Alfons Jimenez, Marta Vidal, Marta Tortajada, Sergi Sanz, Susana Mendez, Anna Llupia, Ruth Aguilar, Selena Alonso, Diana Barrios, Carlo Carolis, Pau Cistero, Eugenia Choliz, Angeline Cruz, Silvia Fochs, Chenjerai Jairoce, Jochen Hecht, Montserrat Lamoglia, Mikel J. Martinez, Javier Moreno, Robert A. Mitchell, Natalia Ortega, Nuria Pey, Laura Puyol, Marta Ribes, Neus Rosell, Antia Figueroa-Romero, Patricia Sotomayor, Sara Torres, Sarah Williams, Sonia Barroso, Anna Vilella, Antoni Trilla, Pilar Varela, Carlota Dobano, Alberto L. Garcia-Basteiro
Summary: The study conducted at Hospital Clinic de Barcelona in Spain found that the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection among 578 healthcare workers was 11.2% during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic in spring 2020. A follow-up survey one month later showed an infection rate of 14.9%, with 5% new infections. Antibody levels, including IgA, IgG, and IgM, declined over the course of three months, with over half of the healthcare workers experiencing seroreversion.
JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Anthony O. Etyang, Ruth Lucinde, Henry Karanja, Catherine Kalu, Daisy Mugo, James Nyagwange, John Gitonga, James Tuju, Perpetual Wanjiku, Angela Karani, Shadrack Mutua, Hosea Maroko, Eddy Nzomo, Eric Maitha, Evanson Kamuri, Thuranira Kaugiria, Justus Weru, Lucy B. Ochola, Nelson Kilimo, Sande Charo, Namdala Emukule, Wycliffe Moracha, David Mukabi, Rosemary Okuku, Monicah Ogutu, Barrack Angujo, Mark Otiende, Christian Bottomley, Edward Otieno, Leonard Ndwiga, Amek Nyaguara, Shirine Voller, Charles N. Agoti, David James Nokes, Lynette Isabella Ochola-Oyier, Rashid Aman, Patrick Amoth, Mercy Mwangangi, Kadondi Kasera, Wangari Ng'ang'a, Ifedayo M. O. Adetifa, E. Wangeci Kagucia, Katherine Gallagher, Sophie Uyoga, Benjamin Tsofa, Edwine Barasa, Philip Bejon, J. Anthony G. Scott, Ambrose Agweyu, George M. Warimwe
Summary: The study reveals significant regional differences in seroprevalence of antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 among healthcare workers in Kenya, but no differences based on professional cadre.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jane Alexandra Shaw, Maynard Meiring, Tracy Cummins, Novel N. Chegou, Conita Claassen, Nelita Du Plessis, Marika Flinn, Andriette Hiemstra, Leanie Kleynhans, Vinzeigh Leukes, Andre G. Loxton, Candice MacDonald, Nosipho Mtala, Helmuth Reuter, Donald Simon, Kim Stanley, Gerard Tromp, Wolfgang Preiser, Stephanus T. Malherbe, Gerhard Walzl
Summary: In Cape Town, South Africa, there is a high seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, particularly among those of lower socioeconomic status. Nearly half of cases are asymptomatic, with seropositivity being significantly associated with living conditions, low-income areas, and low-paying occupations.
Article
Virology
Karen Cortes-Sarabia, Kenet Hisraim Palomares-Monterrubio, Jesus Omar Velazquez-Moreno, Victor Manuel Luna-Pineda, Marco Antonio Leyva-Vazquez, Amalia Vences-Velazquez, Roberto Dircio-Maldonado, Oscar Del Moral-Hernandez, Berenice Illades-Aguiar
Summary: This study analyzed 253 serum samples collected in 2021 from health workers and evaluated the presence of total IgG and subclasses against the N protein of SARS-CoV-2 using indirect ELISA. The results showed that 42.69% of the analyzed samples were positive for anti-N IgG antibodies. A correlation between COVID-19 asymptomatic infection and IgG antibodies was observed (p = 0.006). The detected subclasses included IgG1 (82.4%), IgG2 (75.9%), IgG3 (42.6%), and IgG4 (72.6%).
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Niamh Allen, Una Ni Riain, Niall Conlon, Annamaria Ferenczi, Antonio Isidro Carrion Martin, Lisa Domegan, Cathal Walsh, Lorraine Doherty, Cliona O'Farrelly, Eibhlin Higgins, Colm Kerr, Jonathan McGrath, Colm Bergin, Catherine Fleming, Margaret Fitzgerald, Cillian de Gascun, Joan Gallagher, Derval Igoe, Mary Keogan, Noirin Noonan, Una Ni Rian, Breda Smyth, Catherine Fleming
Summary: Hospital healthcare workers in Ireland have a high seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, with 39% of infections being previously undiagnosed. High-risk groups include healthcare assistants, nurses, those with daily exposure to COVID-19 patients, individuals aged 18-29, those living with other healthcare workers, individuals of Asian background, and males.
EPIDEMIOLOGY AND INFECTION
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Dagny Lorent, Rafal Nowak, Dawid Luwanski, Magdalena Pisarska-Krawczyk, Magdalena Figlerowicz, Pawel Zmora
Summary: The study on the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection among healthcare workers showed an overall increase in infection rate after vaccination. The antibody levels were correlated with disease severity post-infection and vaccination.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Sebastian von Huth, Soren Thue Lillevang, Birgit Thorup Roge, Jonna Skov Madsen, Christian Backer Mogensen, John Eugenio Coia, Soren Moller, Ulrik Stenz Justesen, Isik Somuncu Johansen
Summary: The study on the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection among healthcare workers in Southern Denmark after the initial pandemic wave showed a low prevalence of antibodies, with higher risk for those working on dedicated COVID-19 wards. Attention to occupational risk factors is crucial for pandemic preparedness planning.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
C. Bottomley, M. Otiende, S. Uyoga, K. Gallagher, E. W. Kagucia, A. O. Etyang, D. Mugo, J. Gitonga, H. Karanja, J. Nyagwange, I. M. O. Adetifa, A. Agweyu, D. J. Nokes, G. M. Warimwe, J. A. G. Scott
Summary: The authors propose a model-based alternative to estimating the proportion of the population previously infected with SARS-CoV-2, which accounts for antibody waning and spectrum bias. By comparing the mixture model analysis with the standard threshold analysis using data from several Kenyan serosurveys, it is shown that the estimates of previous infection using the mixture model are often substantially higher than those from the standard threshold analysis.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Rachid Laajaj, Camilo De los Rios, Ignacio Sarmiento-Barbieri, Danilo Aristizabal, Eduardo Behrentz, Raquel Bernal, Giancarlo Buitrago, Zulma Cucunuba, Fernando de la Hoz, Alejandro Gaviria, Luis Jorge Hernandez, Leonardo Leon, Diane Moyano, Elkin Osorio, Andrea Ramirez Varela, Silvia Restrepo, Rodrigo Rodriguez, Norbert Schady, Martha Vives, Duncan Webb
Summary: Latin America has been severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, with limited estimations of infection rates available. A sentinel surveillance study in Bogota found that by March 2021, over half of the population had been infected, despite only a small fraction of cases being detected. This highlights the importance of detailed data in understanding the dynamics and impact of the pandemic.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Letter
Immunology
Ekaterina Krieger, Alexander Kudryavtsev, Ekaterina Sharashova, Vitaly Postoev, Natalia Belova, Leonid Shagrov, Julia Zvedina, Oxana Drapkina, Anna Kontsevaya, Svetlana Shalnova, Tormod Brenn, Vladimir M. Shkolnikov, Rosalind M. Eggo, David A. Leon
Summary: Population-based data on coronavirus disease and the immunogenicity of the Sputnik V vaccine in Russia are limited. A survey conducted among 1,080 residents aged 40-75 in Arkhangelsk revealed that 65% of them tested positive for IgG. Among the participants, 15% were vaccinated, and of those, 97% tested positive for IgG.
EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Yachana Kataria, Manisha Cole, Elizabeth Duffy, Kyle de la Cena, Elissa M. Schechter-Perkins, Tara C. Bouton, Martha M. Werler, Cassandra Pierre, Elizabeth J. Ragan, Sarah E. Weber, Karen R. Jacobson, Chris Andry
Summary: This study assessed the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 IgG among healthcare workers and found that the majority of HCWs were negative for SARS-CoV-2 IgG. Lack of physical distancing among healthcare workers in work areas and break rooms was associated with seropositivity.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Dien M. Vu, Diep T. B. Vu, Thuy T. T. Do, Allison E. Olmsted, Bach H. Dao, Truc T. Thai, Chi L. Nguyen, Nhung T. T. Le, Tuan A. Le, Hien T. T. Bui, Thach N. Pham, Matthew R. Moore
Summary: This study investigated the immune response to ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine in healthcare workers in Vietnam. The findings showed that the vaccine induced antibodies within 3 months of the second dose, regardless of the dosing interval.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Dien Minh Tran, Uyen Tu Thi Vu, Canh Ngoc Hoang, Ha Thu Thi Nguyen, Phu Huy Nguyen, Mai Chi Thi Tran, Anh Ngoc Chu, Phuc Huu Phan
Summary: This study found a high seroprevalence of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 among children in a tertiary children's hospital in Hanoi, Vietnam, with factors such as age, household infection status, region, underlying conditions, and medication use contributing to seropositivity.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Daniel J. Cooper, Sara Lear, Laura Watson, Ashley Shaw, Mark Ferris, Rainer Doffinger, Rachel Bousfield, Katherine Sharrocks, Michael P. Weekes, Ben Warne, Dominic Sparkes, Nick K. Jones, Lucy Rivett, Matthew Routledge, Afzal Chaudhry, Katherine Dempsey, Montgomery Matson, Adil Lakha, George Gathercole, Olivia O'Connor, Emily Wilson, Orthi Shahzad, Kieran Toms, Rachel Thompson, Ian Halsall, David Halsall, Sally Houghton, Sofia Papadia, Nathalie Kingston, Kathleen E. Stirrups, Barbara Graves, Paul Townsend, Neil Walker, Hannah Stark, Daniela De Angelis, Shaun Seaman, Gordon Dougan, John R. Bradley, M. Estee Torok, Ian Goodfellow, Stephen Baker
Summary: The risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection among UK healthcare workers is highly heterogeneous and influenced by COVID-19 working location, role, age, and ethnicity. The increased risk among Black, Asian, and minority ethnic staff cannot be solely attributed to occupational factors.
JOURNAL OF INFECTION
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ifedayo M. O. Adetifa, Sophie Uyoga, John N. Gitonga, Daisy Mugo, Mark Otiende, James Nyagwange, Henry K. Karanja, James Tuju, Perpetual Wanjiku, Rashid Aman, Mercy Mwangangi, Patrick Amoth, Kadondi Kasera, Wangari Ng'ang'a, Charles Rombo, Christine Yegon, Khamisi Kithi, Elizabeth Odhiambo, Thomas Rotich, Irene Orgut, Sammy Kihara, Christian Bottomley, Eunice W. Kagucia, Katherine E. Gallagher, Anthony Etyang, Shirine Voller, Teresa Lambe, Daniel Wright, Edwine Barasa, Benjamin Tsofa, Philip Bejon, Lynette Ochola-Oyier, Ambrose Agweyu, J. Anthony G. Scott, George M. Warimwe
Summary: A study conducted in Kenya found that while the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies among blood donors was relatively low, there was evidence of widespread transmission with low associated mortality. This suggests that although many individuals in Kenya remained susceptible to COVID-19, the virus had already spread widely throughout the country.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Critical Care Medicine
Stefano Guerra, Julie G. Ledford, Erik Melen, Iris Lavi, Anne-Elie Carsin, Debra A. Stern, Jing Zhai, Marta Vidal, Mariona Bustamante, Kenneth J. Addison, Renata G. Vallecillo, Dean Billheimer, Gerard H. Koppelman, Judith Garcia-Aymerich, Nathanael Lemonnier, Montserrat Fito, Carlota Dobano, Simon Kebede Merid, Inger Kull, Rosemary R. C. McEachan, John Wright, Leda Chatzi, Manolis Kogevinas, Daniela Porta, Silvia Narduzzi, Ferran Ballester, Ana Esplugues, Carlos Zabaleta, Amaia Irizar, Jordi Sunyer, Marilyn Halonen, Jean Bousquet, Fernando D. Martinez, Josep M. Anto
Summary: A study was conducted to screen circulating proteins in childhood asthma and investigate their association with the disease in a mouse model. It was found that creatine kinase (CK) was consistently associated with asthma, and this association was further supported by gene expression analysis and a mouse model experiment.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF RESPIRATORY AND CRITICAL CARE MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Daniel Camprubi-Ferrer, Jose Antonio Oteo, Emmanuel Bottieau, Blaise Genton, Leire Balerdi-Sarasola, Aranzazu Portillo, Ludovico Cobuccio, Steven Van den Broucke, Sonia Santibanez, Daniel Cadar, Natalia Rodriguez-Valero, Alex Almuedo-Riera, Carme Subira, Valerie d'Acremont, Miguel J. Martinez, Montserrat Roldan, Jessica Navero-Castillejos, Marjan Van Esbroeck, Jose Munoz
Summary: Diagnosis and treatment of undifferentiated non-malaria fevers (NMF) in returning travellers is a challenging task. This study aims to explore the prevalence and predictive factors of NMF in returning travellers and to investigate the effectiveness of doxycycline as an empirical treatment option.
JOURNAL OF TRAVEL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Miquel Porta, Jose Pumarega, Magda Gasull, Ruth Aguilar, Luis A. Henriquez-Hernandez, Xavier Basagana, Manuel Zumbado, Judit Villar-Garcia, Cristina Rius, Sneha Mehta, Marta Vidal, Alfons Jimenez, Laura Campi, Joan Lop, Octavio L. Perez Luzardo, Carlota Dobano, Gemma Moncunill
Summary: In a prospective cohort study of 154 individuals from the general population of Barcelona, individual concentrations of certain pollutants and chemical elements were found to be associated with COVID-19 and SARS-CoV-2 infection. If these associations are confirmed as causal, measures can be taken to mitigate the corresponding risks.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Ruth Aguilar, Xue Li, Claudia S. Crowell, Teresa Burrell, Marta Vidal, Rocio Rubio, Alfons Jimenez, Pablo Hernandez-Luis, Dieter Hofmann, Hrvoje Mijocevic, Samuel Jeske, Catharina Christa, Elvira D'Ippolito, Paul Lingor, Percy A. Knolle, Hedwig Roggendorf, Alina Priller, Sarah Yazici, Carlo Carolis, Alfredo Mayor, Patrik Schreiner, Holger Poppert, Henriette Beyer, Sophia E. Schambeck, Luis Izquierdo, Marta Tortajada, Ana Angulo, Erwin Soutschek, Pablo Engel, Alberto Garcia-Basteiro, Dirk H. Busch, Gemma Moncunill, Ulrike Protzer, Carlota Dobano, Markus Gerhard
Summary: This study found a strong positive correlation between neutralizing antibody levels and IgG levels, especially against RBD, in response to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Additionally, symptomatic infection was positively associated with antibody levels and neutralizing activity. These findings suggest that relatively simple and high-throughput serological assays can be used to assess levels of protection against SARS-CoV-2 infection.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Manolis Kogevinas, Marianna Karachaliou, Ana Espinosa, Ruth Aguilar, Gemma Castano-Vinyals, Judith Garcia-Aymerich, Anna Carreras, Beatriz Cortes, Vanessa Pleguezuelos, Kyriaki Papantoniou, Rocio Rubio, Alfons Jimenez, Marta Vidal, Pau Serra, Daniel Parras, Pere Santamaria, Luis Izquierdo, Marta Cirach, Mark Nieuwenhuijsen, Payam Dadvand, Kurt Straif, Gemma Moncunill, Rafael de Cid, Carlota Dobano, Cathryn Tonne
Summary: This study found an association between long-term exposure to air pollution and a lower antibody response to COVID-19 vaccines. Among vaccinated individuals without prior infection, higher levels of exposure to PM2.5, NO2, BC, and O3 were associated with lower vaccine antibody responses. This association persisted over time since vaccination.
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Daniel Camprubi-Ferrer, Ludovico Cobuccio, Steven Van Den Broucke, Leire Balerdi-Sarasola, Blaise Genton, Emmanuel Bottieau, Jessica Navero-Castillejos, Miguel J. Martinez, Corinne Jay, Anne Grange, Stephanie Borland, Mike Vaughn, Natalia Rodriguez-Valero, Alex Almuedo-Riera, Valerie D'Acremont, Carme Subira, Tessa de Alba, Angeline Cruz, Marjan Van Esbroeck, Crystal Smith, Ashley Hillman, Brandon Hanberg, Rob Trauscht, Nerissa Spampanato, Jose Munoz
Summary: This study evaluated a prototype panel of a multiplex nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT) in detecting different relevant pathogens in returning travelers with fever. The results showed that the prototype panel had high sensitivity and specificity in diagnosing malaria, dengue, and chikungunya, but had lower sensitivity for Zika virus and other important travel-related bacterial infections.
JOURNAL OF TRAVEL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Marta Ribes, Julia Montana, Marta Vidal, Ruth Aguilar, Patricia Nicolas, Uxue Alfonso, Natalia Rodrigo, Carlo Carolis, Carlota Dobano, Gemma Moncunill, Carlos Chaccour
Summary: This study conducted a seroprevalence survey in the community of Cizur, Spain and found the lowest proportion of SARS-CoV-2 infection among children under 10 and the highest among adolescents. The study also identified a heterogeneous immune-response profile among participants, with generally correlated levels. Additionally, individuals with a technical education level were most affected financially. Therefore, economic impact biases should be considered when designing public health measures.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Erica Parker, Melinda A. Judge, Lucia Pastor, Laura Fuente-Soro, Chenjerai Jairoce, Kim W. Carter, Denise Anderson, Inacio Mandomando, Holly D. Clifford, Denise Naniche, Peter Neils Le Souef
Summary: This study utilizes transcriptomic analysis to explore the mechanisms of early HIV-induced immune damage. The findings demonstrate significant dysregulation of gene expression in acute HIV-infected patients, involving multiple biological processes such as cell cycle, DNA repair and replication, immune activation and response. These results have implications for developing early interventions to improve outcomes in HIV-infected individuals.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Infectious Diseases
Lourrany Borges Costa, Francisca Kalline de Almeida Barreto, Marina Carvalho Arruda Barreto, Thyago Henrique Pereira dos Santos, Maria de Margarette Oliveira de Andrade, Luis Arthur Brasil Gadelha Farias, Andre Ricardo Ribas de Freitas, Miguel Julian Martinez, Luciano Pamplona de Goes Cavalcanti
Summary: This article reviews the global epidemiological and economic burden of Chikungunya, a re-emerging viral infection. Chikungunya is widely distributed in tropical and subtropical areas and co-circulates with other arboviruses. Infection can lead to chronic joint manifestations and have a significant impact on quality of life and the economy.
TROPICAL MEDICINE AND INFECTIOUS DISEASE
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Chenjerai Jairoce, Didac Macia, Jorge P. Torres-Yaguana, Leonie Mayer, Marta Vidal, Rebeca Santano, Ramon Hurtado-Guerrero, Karine Reiter, David L. Narum, Borja Lopez-Gutierrez, Timothy Hamerly, Jahit Sacarlal, Ruth Aguilar, Rhoel R. Dinglasan, Gemma Moncunill, Luis Izquierdo, Carlota Dobano
Summary: The study shows that the RTS,S/AS02A malaria vaccine induces IgG antibodies that equally recognize nonfucosylated and native-like fucosylated PfCSP, indicating that posttranslational modification by O-fucosylation does not significantly affect antibody-antigen binding.
JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Review
Parasitology
Alfredo Mayor, Deus S. Ishengoma, Joshua L. Proctor, Robert Verity
Summary: This review discusses sampling design practices for malaria molecular surveillance (MMS) and highlights the factors that need to be considered. It provides examples for different use cases and serves as a guide for sample and data collection, methodological innovation, and utilization of MMS to support malaria elimination.
TRENDS IN PARASITOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Claudia Gomes, Rosauro Varo, Miquel Duran-Frigola, Antonio Sitoe, Rubio Bila, Sonia Machevo, Alfredo Mayor, Quique Bassat, Ana Rodriguez
Summary: Malaria can progress from an uncomplicated infection to a life-threatening severe disease. Early symptoms are often nonspecific, making it difficult to identify patients at high risk. By analyzing the transcriptomic response of human brain microvascular endothelial cells to Plasmodium falciparum-infected erythrocytes, several biomarkers have been identified to distinguish uncomplicated from severe malaria, as well as to differentiate children with cerebral malaria within the severe malaria group.