Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Sen Pei, Sasikiran Kandula, Jaime Cascante Vega, Wan Yang, Steffen Foerster, Corinne Thompson, Jennifer Baumgartner, Shama Ahuja, Kathleen Blaney, Jay Varma, Theodore Long, Jeffrey Shaman
Summary: This study analyzes contact tracing records during the second wave of the pandemic in New York City to understand the operational performance of contact tracing and reconstruct exposure and transmission networks at individual and ZIP code levels. The findings reveal a spatial pattern of SARS-CoV-2 spread and highlight communities that are tightly interconnected by exposure and transmission.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Alison Levin-Rector, Lauren Firestein, Emily McGibbon, Jessica Sell, Sungwoo Lim, Ellen H. Lee, Don Weiss, Anita Geevarughese, Jane R. Zucker, Sharon K. Greene
Summary: Among New York City adults with SARS-CoV-2 infection, unvaccinated individuals had higher odds of reinfection and hospitalization compared to those who were fully vaccinated in the past 90 days, especially when the Delta variant was prevalent.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Tal Gazitt, Tali Eviatar, Jacqueline Shear, Roni Meidan, Victoria Furer, Joy Feld, Amir Haddad, Muna Elias, Nizar Hijazi, Nili Stein, Pninit Shaked Mishan, Anna Zetser, Hagit Peleg, Ori Elkayam, Devy Zisman
Summary: This study investigated the incidence of autoantibodies in adult patients with AIIRD and the general population after receiving the BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 vaccine. The results showed that the development of autoantibodies did not differ significantly between AIIRD patients and controls after two vaccine doses, but was higher in AIIRD patients after three doses. The presence of autoantibodies was associated with disease flares, but no new-onset autoimmunity was observed.
Review
Immunology
Yan Xie, Yang Liu, Yi Liu
Summary: Concerns about disease flare among patients with rheumatic diseases after COVID-19 vaccination are not supported by current evidence. Flares triggered by vaccinations are generally mild and do not require additional treatment. Therefore, it is recommended for patients with rheumatic diseases to receive the COVID-19 vaccination when their diseases are stable.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Daniel Honfi, Nikolett Gemes, Eniko Szabo, Patricia Neuperger, Jozsef A. Balog, Lajos Nagy, Gergely Toldi, Laszlo G. Puskas, Gabor J. Szebeni, Attila Balog
Summary: Vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 is highly recommended for immunocompromised patients with autoimmune rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (aiRMDs). This study found that patients receiving heterologous boosters showed better antibody levels and immune cell responses. Biologic therapy and disease duration may affect the specific immunity against SARS-CoV-2 in aiRMDs.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Haralampos M. Moutsopoulos
Summary: Patients with autoimmune and autoinflammatory rheumatic disorders may have limited effectiveness in vaccination against SARS-CoV-2, especially under immunosuppressive regimens. Recommendations are proposed to guide the vaccination of immune suppressed patients to achieve optimal vaccine benefit.
JOURNAL OF AUTOIMMUNITY
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Jannae C. Parrott, Ariana Maleki Annibale, Sukhminder Osahan, Karen Alroy, Jo-Anne Caton, Claudia Chernov, Sarah Dumas, Randal C. Fowler, Gabriella Hermosi, Yusyin Hsin, Sharon Perlman, Jing Wu, Scott Hughes, L. Hannah Gould, Anne Schuster
Summary: Repeated serosurveys conducted in New York City showed an overall increase in population-level seropositivity for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies following the introduction of vaccines. No significant differences in antibody prevalence were found based on age, race/ethnicity, education, marital status, or other factors.
EPIDEMIOLOGY AND INFECTION
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Marco Krasselt, Christoph Baerwald, Olga Seifert
Summary: Vaccination coverage against SARS-CoV-2 is high in patients with rheumatic diseases, but there is still a need for improved vaccination education.
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Li-Ying Huang, Chun-Chi Chiang, You-Ling Li, Hung-Yin Lai, Yi-Ching Hsieh, Ying-Hsuen Wu, Yi-Yu Tsai
Summary: Corneal adverse events can occur after COVID-19 vaccination, including acute corneal graft rejection, herpes zoster ophthalmicus, and herpes simplex keratitis. Timely treatment with steroids or antiviral agents leads to mild events and good visual outcomes in most cases.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Nathella Pavan Kumar, V. V. Banurekha, Girish C. P. Kumar, Arul Nancy, C. Padmapriyadarsini, A. Stella Mary, K. R. Uma Devi, Manoj Murhekar, Subash Babu
Summary: Covaxin vaccination induces enhanced cytokine and chemokine responses as early as month 1, following prime-boost vaccination, indicating robust activation of innate and adaptive immune responses in vaccine recipients.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Virology
Mariawy Riollano-Cruz, Esra Akkoyun, Eudys Briceno-Brito, Shanna Kowalsky, James Reed, Roberto Posada, Emilia Mia Sordillo, Michael Tosi, Rebecca Trachtman, Alberto Paniz-Mondolfi
Summary: Following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, children have been reported to develop a systemic inflammatory syndrome related to the virus. The pediatric patients mainly come from Hispanic/Latino and Black/African American backgrounds in New York City.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY
(2021)
Review
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Daniel M. Altmann, Rosemary J. Boyton
Summary: A diverse range of first-generation SARS-CoV-2 vaccines have been successful in controlling the COVID-19 pandemic, although inequitable distribution remains an issue. Future challenges include optimizing immunological boosting strategies and building an immune repertoire that can protect against upcoming viral variants.
Article
Immunology
Dena Bushman, Jency Sekaran, Nancy Jeffery, Caroline Rath, Joel Ackelsberg, Don Weiss, Winfred Wu, Katherine Van Oss, Kolthida Johnston, Jamie Huang, Umaima Khatun, Tara Sheikh, Jennie Sutcliff, Benjamin Tsoi
Summary: The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene investigated COVID-19 outbreaks at 2 construction sites from 23 October to 16 November 2020, noting challenges in adhering to state guidelines. To minimize outbreaks, tailored outreach to the construction industry emphasizing infection prevention is recommended.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
News Item
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Heidi Ledford
Summary: Coronavirus vaccines help reduce the risk of developing COVID-19, but studies differ on their protective effect against long COVID.
Article
Rheumatology
Konstantinos Thomas, Ioannis Grigoropoulos, Panagiota Alexopoulou, Emmanouil Karofylakis, Irene Galani, Kyriaki Korina Papadopoulou, Anastasia Tsiavou, Aliki Ntourou, Eleftheria Mavrou, Irina Qevani, Pelagia Katsimbri, Christos Koutsianas, Evgenia Mavrea, Dimitrios Vassilopoulos, Spyros Pournaras, Sotirios Tsiodras, Dimitrios Boumpas, Anastasia Antoniadou
Summary: This study examined the immune response to SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in rheumatic patients treated with rituximab. It was found that despite undetectable anti-spike antibodies in the serum, four out of ten patients showed lasting cell-mediated immune response. The cumulative dose of rituximab had an impact on both humoral and cell-mediated responses to the vaccine. Cell-mediated immune responses may serve as an important marker of vaccine efficacy against SARS-CoV-2.
Article
Rheumatology
Medha Barbhaiya, Bessie Stamm, Gregory Vitone, Marianna B. Frey, Deanna Jannat-Khah, Jonah Levine, JoAnn Vega, Candace H. Feldman, Jane E. Salmon, Mary K. Crow, Vivian Bykerk, Michael D. Lockshin, Lisa Sammaritano, Lisa A. Mandl
Summary: Pregnancy among women receiving care in the division of rheumatology at a major academic center in New York City was not associated with increased self-reported COVID-19. Pregnant women had a shorter duration of COVID-19 symptoms and were more likely to experience loss of smell or taste compared to nonpregnant women. The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on prenatal care for the majority of pregnant patients.
ARTHRITIS CARE & RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Rheumatology
Glen S. Hazlewood, Claire Bombardier, Xiuying Li, Mohammad Movahedi, Denis Choquette, Louis Coupal, Vivian P. Bykerk, Orit Schieir, Dianne Mosher, Deborah A. Marshall, Sasha Bernatsky, Nicole Spencer, Dawn P. Richards, Laurie Proulx, Claire E. H. Barber
Summary: By comparing the clinical characteristics and treatment of patients with RA in four Canadian cohorts, some heterogeneity in treatment was found, which may be due to differences in inclusion criteria, calendar year, or regional factors.
JOURNAL OF RHEUMATOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Rheumatology
Vivian P. Bykerk, Eun Bong Lee, Ronald Vollenhoven, David C. Gruben, Lara Fallon, John C. Woolcott, Edward Keystone
Summary: This study used group-based trajectory modeling to investigate distinct disease activity trajectories in patients with active RA and found different phenotypic subgroups, which can help optimize treatment outcomes.
ARTHRITIS CARE & RESEARCH
(2022)
Letter
Rheumatology
Medha Barbhaiya, Jonah M. Levine, Caroline H. Siegel, Vivian P. Bykerk, Deanna Jannat-Khah, Lisa A. Mandl
CLINICAL RHEUMATOLOGY
(2022)
Letter
Rheumatology
Medha Barbhaiya, Marianna B. Frey, Jonah Levine, Gregory Vitone, Lindsay Lally, Michael D. Lockshin, Vivian Bykerk, Candace H. Feldman, Lisa A. Mandl
CLINICAL RHEUMATOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Rheumatology
Glen S. Hazlewood, Orit Schieir, Vivian Bykerk, Kamso Mujaab, Peter Tugwell, George Wells, Dawn Richards, Laurie Proulx, Pauline M. Hull, Susan J. Bartlett
Summary: This study aimed to collect data on symptomatic adverse events associated with rheumatoid arthritis drug therapy from the patient perspective. The results of the survey showed that most patients reported being bothered by side effects and their occurrence was related to medication use. Further research is needed to develop and validate a measurement tool for rheumatic disease patients.
JOURNAL OF RHEUMATOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Rheumatology
Charis F. Meng, Diviya A. Rajesh, Deanna P. Jannat-Khah, Bridget Jivanelli, Vivian P. Bykerk
Summary: This study aimed to determine the risk of not being able to sustain remission after tapering methotrexate (MTX) from targeted therapy in patients with controlled rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The findings showed that patients who tapered MTX from targeted therapy had a 10% reduction in the ability to sustain remission and longer follow-up studies are needed to observe disease progression.
JOURNAL OF RHEUMATOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Susan J. Bartlett, Vivian P. Bykerk, Orit Schieir, Marie-France Valois, Janet E. Pope, Gilles Boire, Carol Hitchon, Glen Hazlewood, Louis Bessette, Edward Keystone, Carter Thorne, Diane Tin, Clifton O. Bingham
Summary: This study investigated the perception of disease activity change in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and physicians, and estimated minimal and meaningful change thresholds. The results showed that the thresholds varied depending on the anchor used. These findings provide guidance for the assessment and decision-making in the management of RA.
QUALITY OF LIFE RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Rheumatology
Gabriela L. Maica, Christine Iannaccone, Vivi Feathers, Michelle L. Frits, Vivian P. Bykerk, Clifton O. Bingham III, Michael Weinblatt, Nancy A. Shadick
Summary: This study evaluates how demographic and clinical characteristics influence patients' descriptions of flares in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), finding that descriptions are influenced by disease activity, recent flare experiences, and demographic characteristics such as age and gender.
JOURNAL OF RHEUMATOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Rheumatology
Chun Wu, Yanhua Hu, Peter Schafer, Sean E. Connolly, Robert Wong, Signe Holm Nielsen, Anne-Christine Bay-Jensen, Paul Emery, Yoshiya Tanaka, Vivian P. Bykerk, Clifton O. Bingham, Thomas W. J. Huizinga, Roy Fleischmann, Jinqi Liu
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the correlations between biomarkers of bone remodelling and extracellular matrix turnover with baseline disease activity and treatment response in patients with early RA. The results showed that baseline levels of CTX-I were significantly associated with treatment response to abatacept+MTX, suggesting that CTX-I could be a potential predictor for treatment response in early RA patients.
Article
Rheumatology
Anthony Sebba, Clifton O. Bingham, Vivian P. Bykerk, Stefano Fiore, Kerri Ford, Jud C. Janak, Dimitrios A. Pappas, Taylor Blachley, Swapna S. Dave, Joel M. Kremer, Miao Yu, Ernest Choy
Summary: This observational study compared the effectiveness of TNFi and IL-6Ri as mono- or combination therapy in b/ts-experienced RA patients with moderate/high disease activity. The study found no significant differences in outcomes between patients initiating TNFi and IL-6Ri, whether as mono- or combination therapy.
CLINICAL RHEUMATOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Rheumatology
Nilasha Ghosh, Pankti Reid, Carlos Andres Aude, Jessica Kirschman, Susan Goodman, Vivian P. Bykerk, Amit Lakhanpal, Diviya Rajesh, Karmela K. Chan, William H. Robinson, Anne R. Bass
Summary: In this study, the expansion of ACPA epitopes in CCP+ICI-IA was compared with patients with RA. It was found that patients with ICI-IA had lower ACPA titres and targeted fewer ACPA epitopes compared to longstanding RA patients, and there were no significant differences in the presence of the shared epitope between ICI-IA patients and ICI controls. This suggests that ICI-IA may represent an accelerated model of RA pathogenesis.
Review
Rheumatology
Charis F. Meng, Diviya A. Rajesh, Deanna P. Jannat-Khat, Bridget Jivanelli, Vivian Bykerk
Summary: There is a crucial gap in published literature regarding tapering targeted monotherapy in patients with RA. Stopping targeted monotherapy is unlikely to maintain disease control in RA. Dose reduction strategies and early treatment of disease may be associated with more successful tapering, and warrant future study.
CURRENT RHEUMATOLOGY REVIEWS
(2023)
