Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Daniel M. Altmann, Catherine J. Reynolds, George Joy, Ashley D. Otter, Joseph M. Gibbons, Corinna Pade, Leo Swadling, Mala K. Maini, Tim Brooks, Amanda Semper, Aine Mcknight, Mahdad Noursadeghi, Charlotte Manisty, Thomas A. Treibel, James C. Moon, Rosemary J. Boyton
Summary: This study analyzes the immune response in healthcare workers with mild or asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection and compares it to those with Long Covid. The results show no significant differences in immune responses between the two groups up to 18 weeks post-infection and 1 year after vaccination, suggesting that immune response variations are unlikely to be a contributing factor to Long Covid development.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Allergy
Carlo Cervia, Jakob Nilsson, Yves Zurbuchen, Alan Valaperti, Jens Schreiner, Aline Wolfensberger, Miro E. Raeber, Sarah Adamo, Sebastian Weigang, Marc Emmenegger, Sara Hasler, Philipp P. Bosshard, Elena De Cecco, Esther Baechli, Alain Rudiger, Melina Stuessi-Helbling, Lars C. Huber, Annelies S. Zinkernagel, Dominik J. Schaer, Adriano Aguzzi, Georg Kochs, Ulrike Held, Elsbeth Probst-Mueller, Silvana K. Rampini, Onur Boyman
Summary: The study found that severe COVID-19 patients experienced a significant increase in SARS-CoV-2 antibody titers after symptom onset, especially with high IgA titers, while mild cases may exhibit transient production of SARS-CoV-2-specific antibodies. Interestingly, some healthcare workers with negative serum antibody titers showed SARS-CoV-2-specific IgA in mucosal fluids with virus-neutralizing capacity in some cases.
JOURNAL OF ALLERGY AND CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Taufiqur Rahman Bhuiyan, Hasan Al Banna, M. Hasanul Kaisar, Polash Chandra Karmakar, Al Hakim, Afroza Akter, Tasnuva Ahmed, Imam Tauheed, Shaumik Islam, Mohammad Abul Hasnat, Mostafa Aziz Sumon, Asif Rashed, Shuvro Ghosh, John D. Clemens, Sayera Banu, Tahmina Shirin, Daniela Weiskopf, Alessandro Sette, Fahima Chowdhury, Firdausi Qadri
Summary: This study investigated the immune cell responses in COVID-19 patients and found a decrease in MAIT cell frequency and an increase in NK cells during the early days of infection. In addition, moderate and severe patients showed an increased CD4(+) T-cell response to SARS-CoV-2 peptides. However, CD8(+) T cells exhibited exhaustion during the infection.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Friederike Krempe, Lara Schoeler, Benjamin Katschinski, Anke Herrmann, Olympia E. Anastasiou, Carina Elsner, R. Stefan Ross, Friedrich Scholz, Ulf Dittmer, Peter Miethe, Vu Thuy Khanh Le-Trilling, Mirko Trilling
Summary: During the COVID-19 pandemic, combining new rapid antibody testing with RT-PCR can quickly, cost-effectively, and reliably distinguish between the prodromal and subsiding phases of the disease.
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Hassen Kared, Andrew D. Redd, Evan M. Bloch, Tania S. Bonny, Hermi Sumatoh, Faris Kairi, Daniel Carbajo, Brian Abel, Evan W. Newell, Maria P. Bettinotti, Sarah E. Benner, Eshan U. Patel, Kirsten Littlefield, Oliver Laeyendecker, Shmuel Shoham, David Sullivan, Arturo Casadevall, Andrew Pekosz, Alessandra Nardin, Michael Fehlings, Aaron A. R. Tobian, Thomas C. Quinn
Summary: Characterization of T cell responses in convalescent individuals from SARS-CoV-2 infection revealed unique phenotypes and a coordinated immune response, with specific CD8(+) T cell responses directed against various epitopes from the virus proteome. The differentiation of T cells into stem cell and transitional memory subsets may be crucial for developing lasting protection against the virus.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL INVESTIGATION
(2021)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Nickolas Lewis, Laura C. Chambers, Huong T. Chu, Taylor Fortnam, Roberta De Vito, Lisa M. Gargano, Philip A. Chan, James McDonald, Joseph W. Hogan
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the effect of vaccination after recovery from COVID-19 on preventing SARS-CoV-2 reinfection. The findings suggest that individuals who remained unvaccinated faced a relatively high risk of reinfection, while vaccination after recovery from COVID-19 was associated with reducing the risk of reinfection by approximately half.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Lorenzo Azzi, Daniela Dalla Gasperina, Giovanni Veronesi, Mariam Shallak, Giuseppe Ietto, Domenico Iovino, Andreina Baj, Francesco Gianfagna, Vittorio Maurino, Daniele Focosi, Fabrizio Maggi, Marco Mario Ferrario, Francesco Dentali, Giulio Carcano, Angelo Tagliabue, Lorenzo Stefano Maffioli, Roberto Sergio Accolla, Greta Forlani
Summary: BNT162b2 COVID-19 vaccine induces strong systemic immune response but poorly activates mucosal immunity.
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
Cell Biology
Gilson P. Dorneles, Paula C. Teixeira, Igor M. da Silva, Lucas L. Schipper, Paulo C. Santana Filho, Luiz C. Rodrigues Junior, Cristina Bonorino, Alessandra Peres, Simone G. Fonseca, Marta C. Monteiro, Carina R. Boeck, Sarah Eller, Tiago F. Oliveira, Eliana M. Wendland, Pedro R. T. Romao
Summary: This study investigates alterations in purinergic pathways in COVID-19 patients and provides new insights into the immunopathology of the disease. The findings suggest that the purinergic signaling is dysregulated in both mild and severe COVID-19 patients, which may affect immune function. Additionally, increased T-cell apoptosis and decreased purine levels are observed in COVID-19 patients compared to healthy controls.
JOURNAL OF CELLULAR PHYSIOLOGY
(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)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Weiming Xia, Mingfei Li, Ying Wang, Lewis E. Kazis, Kim Berlo, Noureddine Melikechi, Gregory R. Chiklis
Summary: This study analyzed longitudinal blood samples from 943 convalescent COVID-19 patients over seven months to quantify antibody decay rates, finding that patients with higher initial antibody levels showed a significantly faster reduction rate, and most donors' antibodies were detected above threshold for only four months post-infection.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Kenneth Lundstrom, Altijana Hromic-Jahjefendic, Esma Bilajac, Alaa A. A. Aljabali, Katarina Baralic, Nagwa A. Sabri, Eslam M. Shehata, Mohamed Raslan, Ana Claudia B. H. Ferreira, Lidiane Orlandi, Angel Serrano-Aroca, Murtaza M. Tambuwala, Vladimir N. Uversky, Vasco Azevedo, Khalid J. Alzahrani, Khalaf F. Alsharifm, Ibrahim F. Halawani, Fuad M. Alzahrani, Elrashdy M. Redwan, Debmalya Barhl
Summary: This review summarizes major events of SARS-CoV-2 infection route, immune response following host-cell infection as an important factor for disease outcome, as well as comorbidity issues of various tissues and organs arising due to COVID-19. Investigations on alterations of host-cell machinery and viral interactions with multiple intracellular signaling pathways could represent a major factor in more effective disease management.
CELLULAR SIGNALLING
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Laura Mansi, Laurie Spehner, Etienne Daguindau, Kevin Bouiller, Hamadi Almotlak, Ulrich Stein, Adeline Bouard, Stefano Kim, Elodie Klajer, Marine Jary, Guillaume Meynard, Angelique Vienot, Charlee Nardin, Fernando Bazan, Quentin Lepiller, Virginie Westeel, Olivier Adotevi, Christophe Borg, Marie Kroemer
Summary: Cancer patients exposed to SARS-CoV-2 produced a high rate of specific antibodies, but lacked T-cell responses against the virus, indicating a deficiency in protective T-cell immunity. However, their immune memory against common viruses remained intact.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF CANCER
(2021)
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
Kenji Nakamichi, Jolie Z. Shen, Cecilia S. Lee, Aaron Lee, Emma A. Roberts, Paul D. Simonson, Pavitra Roychoudhury, Jessica Andriesen, April K. Randhawa, Patrick C. Mathias, Alex L. Greninger, Keith R. Jerome, Russell N. Van Gelder
Summary: The COVID-19 epidemic of 2019-20 is caused by the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, which has infected millions worldwide. This study aimed to determine if SARS-CoV-2 sequence variants are linked to different outcomes among COVID-19 patients in a single medical system. The virus has shown rapid mutation with two major clades of sequence variants identified.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Lisa Pilgram, Lukas Eberwein, Bjoern-Erik O. Jensen, Carolin E. M. Jakob, Felix C. Koehler, Martin Hower, Jan T. Kielstein, Melanie Stecher, Bernd Hohenstein, Fabian Prasser, Timm Westhoff, Susana M. Nunes de Miranda, Maria J. G. T. Vehreschild, Julia Lanznaster, Sebastian Dolff
Summary: This multicentre cohort study aimed to evaluate the situation of CKD5D patients during the COVID-19 pandemic and investigate the association between dialysis dependency and mortality. The results showed that dialysis dependency was not related to mortality, but the mortality rate of CKD patients was high.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Sebastian Noe, Sabine Zange, Michael Seilmaier, Markus H. Antwerpen, Thomas Fenzl, Jochen Schneider, Christoph D. Spinner, Joachim J. Bugert, Clemens-Martin Wendtner, Roman Woelfel
Summary: This article presents the first two cases of human monkeypox infection diagnosed in Germany. The importance of rapid diagnosis and public health response is emphasized, along with the need for differential diagnosis of rash, especially in patients with frequent sexual contacts.
Article
Immunology
Malte B. Monin, Patrick Ingiliz, Thomas Lutz, Stefan Scholten, Christiane Cordes, Maria Martinez-Rebollar, Christoph D. Spinner, Mark Nelson, Michael Rausch, Sanjay Bhagani, Lars Peters, Thomas Reiberger, Stefan Mauss, Juergen K. Rockstroh, Christoph Boesecke
Summary: This study analyzed the spontaneous clearance rates and predictors of spontaneous clearance in recently acquired hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections among HIV-positive men who have sex with men (MSM). The findings showed that spontaneous clearance is infrequent in this population, highlighting the importance of early antiviral treatment.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Christian Hoffmann, Heiko Jessen, Christoph Wyen, Stephan Grunwald, Sebastian Noe, Joern Teichmann, Anja-Sophie Krauss, Henning Kolarikal, Stefan Scholten, Christoph Schuler, Markus Bickel, Clemens Roll, Peter Kreckel, Siegfried Koeppe, Matthias Straub, Gerd Klausen, Johannes Lenz, Stefan Esser, Bjoern Jensen, Michael Rausch, Stefan Unger, Ramona Pauli, Georg Haerter, Matthias Muller, Anja Masuhr, Guido Schaefer, Ulrich Seybold, Sven Schellberg, Jochen Schneider, Malte Benedikt Monin, Eva Wolf, Christoph D. Spinner, Christoph Boesecke
Summary: Since May 2022, there has been an increasing number of monkeypox virus (MPXV) infections reported in Europe and North America. A retrospective study in Germany found that the majority of infected individuals were men who have sex with men (MSM), with nearly half of them also living with HIV. Despite some patients having coinfections, severe cases were rare and hospitalization rates were low.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Daniel Schmidt, Christian Kollan, Barbara Bartmeyer, Viviane Bremer, Tim Schikowski, Martin Friebe, Sven Schellberg, Stefan Scholten, Markus Bickel, Nikola Hanhoff, Robin Rusenberg, Knud Schewe
Summary: The objective of this study was to evaluate the incidence of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among PrEP users in Germany. The results showed that PrEP is predominantly used by MSM and has a very low HIV infection rate. The incidence rates of STIs also decreased during the observation period. Continued implementation of PrEP coverage through health insurance is crucial in preventing HIV infections.
Article
Health Policy & Services
Lene Tscharntke, Melanie Stecher, Annika Y. Classen, Norma Jung, Lukas Eberwein, Anette Friedrichs, Hartwig Klinker, Maximilian J. Schons, Christoph D. Spinner, Maria J. G. T. Vehreschild, Katja de With, Joerg J. Vehreschild
Summary: This study develops and validates structure indicators for clinical infectious disease (ID) care in German hospitals, which is important for facing future challenges in ID medicine. A team of experts identified and selected 18 suitable indicators, including 10 key indicators for clinical ID care structures. The developed indicators can be used to assess and compare the quality of ID care in Germany.
ZEITSCHRIFT FUR EVIDENZ FORTBILDUNG UND QUALITAET IM GESUNDHEITSWESEN
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Uwe Koppe, Julia Schilling, Melanie Stecher, Maria Madeleine Ruethrich, Adine Marquis, Michaela Diercke, Martina Haselberger, Carolin E. M. Koll, Michaela Niebank, Bettina Ruehe, Stefan Borgmann, Linus Grabenhenrich, Kerstin Hellwig, Lisa Pilgram, Christoph Spinner, Thomas Paerisch
Summary: This study investigated factors associated with severe COVID-19 and compared the representativeness of the dataset to the general population. The results showed that patients above 76 years old were less likely represented in the LEOSS dataset, and they also had lower mortality. Factors associated with severe COVID-19 in LEOSS included increasing age, male sex, prior stem cell transplantation, and an elevated C-reactive protein at the time of diagnosis.
BMC INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Kirsten Schmidt-Hellerau, Claudia Raichle, Maria Ruethrich, Joerg J. Vehreschild, Julia Lanznaster, Susana M. Nunes de Miranda, Claudia Bausewein, Maria J. G. T. Vehreschild, Carolin E. M. Koll, Steffen Simon, Kerstin Hellwig, Bjoern-Erik O. Jensen, Norma Jung
Summary: This study aimed to describe the characteristics and types of specialized palliative care (SPC) provided to SARS-CoV-2 infected patients. The study found that patients receiving SPC were older and had more comorbidities, but 59% had a life expectancy of more than 1 year. The main symptoms were dyspnea, delirium, and excessive tiredness. Most patients receiving SPC died during the hospital stay, and SPC mainly focused on symptom control and family psychological support, with a higher emphasis on allowing personal contacts with friends and relatives.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Lisa Pilgram, Katharina S. Appel, Maria M. Ruethrich, Carolin E. M. Koll, Maria J. G. T. Vehreschild, Susana M. Nunes de Miranda, Martin Hower, Kerstin Hellwig, Frank Hanses, Kai Wille, Martina Haselberger, Christoph D. Spinner, Juergen Vom Dahl, Bernd Hertenstein, Timm Westhoff, J. Janne Vehreschild, Bjoern-Erik Ole Jensen, Melanie Stecher
Summary: The study found that the use of RDV is associated with reduced mortality in SARS-CoV-2 infected patients, especially when initiated in the complicated phase and combined with steroid treatment. However, further randomized trials are needed to determine the timing of therapy initiation.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Michel Kschonnek, Iryna Dobrovolska, Ulrike Protzer, Rudi Zagst
Summary: Monitoring and assessing the severity of the COVID-19 pandemic is challenging due to the flaws of daily infection data and the delayed hospitalization and bed occupancy data. This study presents a hospital beds model, which links daily new infections, hospitalization rates, and bed occupancy to assess the impact of the pandemic. A severity index called COVIX is developed, taking into account infection and disease risks. The methodology and its implications are illustrated using data from Bavaria, Germany.
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Till Bunse, Nina Koerber, Hannah Wintersteller, Jochen Schneider, Alexander Graf, Aleksandar Radonic, Andrea Thuermer, Max von Kleist, Helmut Blum, Christoph D. D. Spinner, Tanja Bauer, Percy A. A. Knolle, Ulrike Protzer, Eva C. C. Schulte
Summary: Immunocompromised individuals with COVID-19 have higher risk, and studying their disease courses and immune responses is crucial. By analyzing the immune response of an immunocompromised individual with a prolonged SARS-CoV-2 infection, we provide insights into the interplay between B- and T-cell immunity in clearing the virus.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Silvia Wuerstle, Alexander Hapfelmeier, Siranush Karapetyan, Fabian Studen, Andriana Isaakidou, Tillman Schneider, Roland M. Schmid, Stefan von Delius, Felix Gundling, Rainer Burgkart, Andreas Obermeier, Ulrich Mayr, Marc Ringelhan, Sebastian Rasch, Tobias Lahmer, Fabian Geisler, Paul E. Turner, Benjamin K. Chan, Christoph D. Spinner, Jochen Schneider
Summary: Ascitic fluid infection is a serious complication of liver cirrhosis, and it is crucial to distinguish between spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) and secondary peritonitis in these patients due to different treatment approaches. This study analyzed 532 SBP episodes and 37 secondary peritonitis episodes to identify key differentiation criteria. Microbiological characteristics, severity of illness, and clinicopathological parameters were identified as the most important predictors to distinguish between SBP and secondary peritonitis. A point-score model with ten discriminatory features was established, and two cut-off scores were defined to divide patients into low-risk and high-risk groups for secondary peritonitis based on a sensitivity of 95% to rule out or rule in SBP episodes. Overall, the discrimination between secondary peritonitis and SBP remains challenging, but the findings of this study may help clinicians with the crucial differentiation.
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Benjamin Maasoumy, Patrick Ingiliz, Christoph D. Spinner, Christiane Cordes, Hans-Juergen Stellbrink, Julian Schulze zur Wiesch, Stephan M. Schneeweiss, Katja Deterding, Tobias Mueller, Julia Kahlhoefer, Petra Doerge, Maria von Karpowitz, Michael P. Manns, Heiner Wedemeyer, Markus Cornberg
Summary: The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of an 8-week treatment with sofosbuvir plus velpatasvir for acute HCV monoinfection. The results showed that all adherent patients achieved sustained virologic response at 12 weeks after the end of treatment. Therefore, early treatment with sofosbuvir/velpatasvir can be recommended to effectively prevent the spread of HCV in high-risk groups.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Julia Festag, Marvin M. Festag, Theresa Asen, Jochen M. Wettengel, Martin A. Mueck-Haeusl, Shaheed Abdulhaqq, Christiane Stahl-Hennig, Jonah B. Sacha, Benjamin J. Burwitz, Ulrike Protzer, Karin Wisskirchen
Summary: Adoptive T cell therapy using natural T cell receptor (TCR) redirection is a promising approach to fight solid cancers and viral infections. This study developed a viral vector strategy for evaluating TCR-T cell therapies targeting diseased liver cells.
HUMAN GENE THERAPY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Laia Llucia-Carol, Elena Muino, Natalia Cullell, Jara Carcel-Marquez, Miquel Lledos, Cristina Gallego-Fabrega, Jesus Martin-Campos, Joan Marti-Fabregas, Ana Aguilera-Simon, Anna M. Planas, Marta L. Dediego, Alicia de Felipe Mimbrera, Jaime Masjuan, Sebastian Garcia-Madrona, Tomas Segura, Esther Gonzalez-Villar, Gemma Serrano-Heras, Ana Dominguez Mayoral, Paloma Menendez-Valladares, Joan Montaner, Isabelle Migeotte, Souad Rahmouni, Gilles Darcis, David Bernardo, Silvia Rojo, Eva C. Schulte, Ulrike Protzer, Lisa Fricke, Christof Winter, Mari E. K. Niemi, Mattia Cordioli, Pilar Delgado, Israel Fernandez-Cadenas
Summary: This study aimed to determine if patients with IS-COV are associated with a specific aetiology of IS. The researchers used genetic analysis to identify genome regions that correlated between the IS-COV cohort and different subtypes of IS, finding three genomic regions associated with LAA and CES. They also found four genetic loci related to specific genes. The results suggest that IS-COV cases are genetically similar to LAA and CES subtypes.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)