Article
Immunology
Vladimir A. Gushchin, Inna Dolzhikova, Alexey M. Shchetinin, Alina S. Odintsova, Andrei E. Siniavin, Maria A. Nikiforova, Andrei A. Pochtovyi, Elena Shidlovskaya, Nadezhda A. Kuznetsova, Olga A. Burgasova, Liudmila Kolobukhina, Anna A. Iliukhina, Anna Kovyrshina, Andrey G. Botikov, Aleksandra Kuzina, Daria M. Grousova, Amir Tukhvatulin, Dmitry Shcheblyakov, Olga Zubkova, Oksana Karpova, Olga L. Voronina, Natalia N. Ryzhova, Ekaterina Aksenova, Marina S. Kunda, Dmitry A. Lioznov, Daria M. Danilenko, Andrey B. Komissarov, Artem P. Tkachuck, Denis Y. Logunov, Alexander L. Gintsburg
Summary: Since the beginning of 2021, all the main six vaccines against COVID-19 have been used in mass vaccination globally. Concerns have been raised regarding the decreasing virus neutralization and epidemiological efficacy against certain genotypes, and further studies are needed to determine the effectiveness of the Sputnik V vaccine against variants of concern.
Article
Virology
Jenni Virtanen, Ruut Uusitalo, Essi M. Korhonen, Kirsi Aaltonen, Teemu Smura, Suvi Kuivanen, Sari H. Pakkanen, Sointu Mero, Anu Patjas, Marianna Riekkinen, Anu Kantele, Visa Nurmi, Klaus Hedman, Jussi Hepojoki, Tarja Sironen, Eili Huhtamo, Olli Vapalahti
Summary: Newly emerged SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern show resistance to neutralization by antibodies elicited by the wild-type virus, with VoC2 having increased potential to reinfect previously SARS-CoV-infected individuals. Neutralizing antibodies in recovered patients show varied levels of inhibition against different variants, with some sera failing to neutralize VoC2.
Article
Virology
Claudia Maria Trombetta, Serena Marchi, Simonetta Viviani, Alessandro Manenti, Linda Benincasa, Antonella Ruello, Emilio Bombardieri, Ilaria Vicenti, Maurizio Zazzi, Emanuele Montomoli
Summary: The study found that patients previously infected with SARS-CoV-2 showed a general decrease in neutralizing antibody titers when facing viral variants, especially against P.1 and B.1.351; this suggests that previous infection may not fully protect against the impact of the variants.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jakob Trimpert, Julia M. Adler, Kathrin Eschke, Azza Abdelgawad, Theresa C. Firsching, Nadine Ebert, Tran Thi Nhu Thao, Achim D. Gruber, Volker Thiel, Nikolaus Osterrieder, Dusan Kunec
Summary: Vaccines play a crucial role in combating the COVID-19 pandemic, with large-scale recoding of the virus genome to create live attenuated vaccine candidates offering cross-neutralizing antibody responses and providing protection against COVID-19-like disease in hamsters.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Stefano Borocci, Carmen Cerchia, Alessandro Grottesi, Nico Sanna, Ingrid Guarnetti Prandi, Nabil Abid, Andrea R. Beccari, Giovanni Chillemi, Carmine Talarico
Summary: The COVID-19 pandemic is caused by SARS-CoV-2. Research efforts are focused on the impact of mutations in the S glycoprotein of the UK variant, which shows increased flexibility in the RBD and potential correlation with higher transmissibility. This study provides structural insights into antigenic hotspots and neutralizing antibody epitopes.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Virology
Yong Yang, Jinkai Zang, Shiqi Xu, Xueyang Zhang, Sule Yuan, Haikun Wang, Dimitri Lavillette, Chao Zhang, Zhong Huang
Summary: This study compared the immunogenicity of different antigens derived from the prototype strain and found that RBD and S-trimer vaccines induced long-lasting, high-titer broadly neutralizing antibodies in mice compared to the S1 vaccine. The RBD immune sera remained effective against multiple variants, while the S-trimer immune sera showed consistent neutralization potency against the prototype strain and all three variants tested. These findings support the continued use of currently approved SARS-CoV-2 vaccines in regions where variant viruses circulate.
Article
Virology
Alyssa T. Pyke, Neelima Nair, Andrew F. van den Hurk, Peter Burtonclay, Son Nguyen, Jean Barcelon, Carol Kistler, Sanmarie Schlebusch, Jamie McMahon, Frederick Moore
Summary: The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants poses challenges to public health disease management, and the replication and evolutionary dynamics of the virus have important implications for the development of vaccines, antiviral therapies, and epidemiological control strategies for COVID-19.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Robert J. Fischer, Neeltje van Doremalen, Danielle R. Adney, Claude Kwe Yinda, Julia R. Port, Myndi G. Holbrook, Jonathan E. Schulz, Brandi N. Williamson, Tina Thomas, Kent Barbian, Sarah L. Anzick, Stacy Ricklefs, Brian J. Smith, Dan Long, Craig Martens, Greg Saturday, Emmie de Wit, Sarah C. Gilbert, Teresa Lambe, Vincent J. Munster
Summary: The study demonstrates the effectiveness of the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine against clinical disease caused by B.1.1.7 or B.1.351 variants. Vaccinated hamsters did not experience weight loss or lung lesions compared to control animals after being challenged with the variants.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Letter
Immunology
Patrick K. Mitchell, Mathias Martins, Tara Reilly, Leonardo C. Caserta, Renee R. Anderson, Brittany D. Cronk, Julia Murphy, Erin L. Goodrich, Diego G. Diel
Summary: Three Malayan tigers in a zoologic park in Virginia, USA were infected with the SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7 (Alpha) variant, showing respiratory signs consistent with infection. The findings indicate that tigers are susceptible to the SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7 variant.
EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Virology
Garrett A. Perchetti, Haiying Zhu, Margaret G. Mills, Lasata Shrestha, Cassia Wagner, Shah Mohamed Bakhash, Michelle J. Lin, Hong Xie, Meei-Li Huang, Patrick Mathias, Trevor Bedford, Keith R. Jerome, Alexander L. Greninger, Pavitra Roychoudhury
Summary: This study detected the first cases of the B.1.1.7 lineage of SARS-CoV-2 in Washington State using a combination of RT-PCR, RT-ddPCR, and next-generation sequencing. Multiple mutations associated with the B.1.1.7 lineage were identified through genetic analysis, and molecular diagnostic tools like RT-ddPCR were shown to be effective in distinguishing VOCs and confirming variants. The use of a multi-step approach involving different testing methods can help in the rapid and accurate identification of more contagious forms of SARS-CoV-2 as they become increasingly prevalent.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Kyle Rosenke, Friederike Feldmann, Atsushi Okumura, Frederick Hansen, Tsing-Lee Tang-Huau, Kimberly Meade-White, Benjamin Kaza, Julie Callison, Matthew C. Lewis, Brian J. Smith, Patrick W. Hanley, Jamie Lovaglio, Michael A. Jarvis, Carl Shaia, Heinz Feldmann
Summary: The study compared the infection of two different SARS-CoV-2 variants in African green monkeys and found that the B.1.1.7 variant had higher levels of replication and shedding in the respiratory tract, while the D614G variant had higher levels of replication and shedding in the gastrointestinal tract.
EMERGING MICROBES & INFECTIONS
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Marek Widera, Barbara Muehlemann, Victor M. Corman, Tuna Toptan, Joern Beheim-Schwarzbach, Niko Kohmer, Julia Schneider, Annemarie Berger, Talitha Veith, Christiane Pallas, Tobias Bleicker, Udo Goetsch, Julia Tesch, Rene Gottschalk, Terry C. Jones, Sandra Ciesek, Christian Drosten
Summary: The research discovered 28 different lineages of SARS-CoV-2 circulating in Frankfurt during the study period, including six that had not been observed in Germany previously. Various mutations were found in the viral sequences, emphasizing the need for continuous SARS-CoV-2 surveillance using full-genome sequencing.
Letter
Immunology
Federica Novazzi, Angelo Genoni, Pietro Giorgio Spezia, Daniele Focosi, Cristian Zago, Alberto Colombo, Gianluca Cassani, Renee Pasciuta, Antonio Tamborini, Agostino Rossi, Martina Prestia, Riccardo Capuano, Daniela Dalla Gasperina, Francesco Dentali, Paolo Severgnini, Walter Ageno, Cinzia Gambarini, Paola Stefanelli, Andreina Baj, Fabrizio Maggi
Summary: An imported case of the SARS-CoV-2 variant of concern B.1.1.351 was reported in a 66-year-old symptomatic male who returned from Malawi to Italy.
EMERGING MICROBES & INFECTIONS
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Cheng Zhang, Huan Cui, Entao Li, Zhendong Guo, Tiecheng Wang, Fang Yan, Lina Liu, Yuanguo Li, Di Chen, Keyin Meng, Nan Li, Chengfeng Qin, Juxiang Liu, Yuwei Gao, Chunmao Zhang
Summary: This study found that the B.1.351 variant can efficiently infect and replicate in mice and rats, with a very low transmission risk in mice but moderate transmission risk in rats through direct contact. The study also emphasizes the need for more attention to the potential transmission of SARS-CoV-2 variants in rats and their potential spillback to humans.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Daniele Focosi, Scott McConnell, Arturo Casadevall
Summary: The article discusses the impact of WHO-defined SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern on therapeutics and vaccine development, focusing on the Omicron variant and its ability to resist antibody-based therapies. It emphasizes the need for clinicians to explore alternative treatment options.
DRUG RESISTANCE UPDATES
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Shuk-Ching Wong, Veronica Wing-Man Chan, Lithia Lai-Ha Yuen, Christine Ho-Yan Auyeung, Jessica Oi-Yan Leung, Chi-Kuen Li, Monica Oi-Tung Kwok, Simon Yung-Chun So, Jonathan Hon-Kwan Chen, Anthony Raymond Tam, Ivan Fan-Ngai Hung, Kelvin Kai-Wang To, Janice Yee-Chi Lo, Kwok-Yung Yuen, Vincent Chi-Chung Cheng
Summary: Despite enhanced indoor air dilution, SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected in 79.2% of the samples obtained from 8 negative-pressure wards in Hong Kong, indicating the difficulty of preventing airborne transmission of the virus in hospitals.
INFECTION CONTROL AND HOSPITAL EPIDEMIOLOGY
(2023)
Letter
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
S. -C. Wong, L. L-H. Yuen, C-K. Li, M. O-T. Kwok, J. H-K. Chen, V. C-C. Cheng
JOURNAL OF HOSPITAL INFECTION
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Kelvin Hei-Yeung Chiu, Cyril Chik-Yan Yip, Rosana Wing-Shan Poon, Kit-Hang Leung, Xin Li, Ivan Fan-Ngai Hung, Kelvin Kai-Wang To, Vincent Chi-Chung Cheng, Kwok-Yung Yuen
Summary: Cytokine dynamics in respiratory specimens of COVID-19 patients were studied in this retrospective case-control study. The study found that levels of MPO, ADA, CCL22, TNF alpha, and IL-6 mRNA were significantly higher in infected patients compared to controls, with ADA showing better performance. Additionally, severe COVID-19 patients had lower CCL22 mRNA levels. ADA may be a better biomarker for differentiating between infected and uninfected patients, while CCL22 has potential in stratifying the severity of COVID-19.
EMERGING MICROBES & INFECTIONS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jasper Fuk-Woo Chan, Xiner Huang, Bingjie Hu, Yue Chai, Hongyu Shi, Tianrenzheng Zhu, Terrence Tsz-Tai Yuen, Yuanchen Liu, Huan Liu, Jialu Shi, Lei Wen, Huiping Shuai, Yuxin Hou, Chaemin Yoon, Jian-Piao Cai, Anna Jinxia Zhang, Jie Zhou, Feifei Yin, Shuofeng Yuan, Bao-Zhong Zhang, Melinda A. Brindley, Zheng-Li Shi, Kwok-Yung Yuen, Hin Chu
Summary: It has been discovered that several members of the membrane-type matrix metalloproteinase and a disintegrin and metalloproteinase families can mediate SARS-CoV-2 entry, and inhibition of these proteases significantly reduces viral replication. Additionally, the Omicron BA.1 variant has an increased efficiency in utilizing matrix metalloproteinases, while exhibiting altered efficiency in utilizing transmembrane serine proteases compared to the ancestral SARS-CoV-2.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
David S. Kinnamon, Jacob T. Heggestad, Jason Liu, Thu Nguyen, Vo Ly, Angus M. Hucknall, Cassio M. Fontes, Rhett J. Britton, Jian-Piao Cai, Jasper Fuk-Woo Chan, Kwok-Yung Yuen, Thuy Le, Ashutosh Chilkoti
Summary: We developed a self-contained immunoassay platform that can be used in field settings with varied temperature, humidity, and blood samples. The platform has high sensitivity and accuracy in detecting analyte concentration, and a portable detection device. We also improved the microfluidic cassette for better usability and faster results. By using this platform, we successfully conducted a rapid diagnostic test for talaromycosis infection in patients, showing comparable sensitivity and specificity to laboratory tests.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Yanxia Chen, Wenchen Song, Can Li, Jiaxuan Wang, Feifei Liu, Zhanhong Ye, Peidi Ren, Yihan Tong, Junhua Li, Zhihua Ou, Andrew Chak-Yiu Lee, Jian-Piao Cai, Bosco Ho-Yin Wong, Jasper Fuk-Woo Chan, Kwok-Yung Yuen, AnnaJin-Xia Zhang, Hin Chu
Summary: Obesity is a risk factor for severe manifestations of COVID-19, and this study investigated the effects of COVID-19 mRNA vaccination on immune responses and reinfection in obese mice. The findings showed impaired adaptive immune responses to COVID-19 infection and vaccination in obese mice, leading to higher susceptibility to reinfection and lower vaccine efficacy. However, vaccinated obese mice were still protected from lung damage during reinfection and showed increased production of interferons. This suggests that COVID-19 mRNA vaccination enhances innate antiviral responses in obesity when adaptive immunity is suboptimal.
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Xuxiao Ye, Caige Huang, Vincent Ka Chun Yan, Wei Kang, Min Fan, Gigi Kwan Chi Tsang, Clarissa Mung Yee Ho, Gregory Y. H. Lip, Kai-Hang Yiu, Hung-Fat Tse, Tiantian Ma, Xiwen Qin, Celine Sze Ling Chui, Francisco Tsz Tsun Lai, Carlos King Ho Wong, Eric Yuk Fai Wan, Xue Li, Cheuk Kwong Lee, Ivan Fan Ngai Hung, Ian Chi Kei Wong, Esther Wai Yin Chan
Summary: This study aimed to evaluate the risk of ischaemic stroke or systemic embolism and bleeding following COVID-19 vaccination in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), with a focus on sex differences. The results showed that there was an increased risk of ischaemic stroke or systemic embolism in female patients with AF after receiving the first dose of BNT162b2 or CoronaVac. However, the risk was even higher after COVID-19 infection.
EUROPEAN HEART JOURNAL-CARDIOVASCULAR PHARMACOTHERAPY
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Ruiqi Zhang, Kwok-Hung Chan, Pui Wang, Runhong Zhou, Henry Kwong-Chi Yau, Creany Ka-Wai Wong, Meena Wai-Lam Au, Anthony Raymond Tam, Chi-Tao Ng, Matthew Kwok-Chung Lou, Na Liu, Haode Huang, Shaofeng Deng, Rachel Chun-Yee Tam, Ying Liu, Teng Long, Hoi-Wah Tsoi, Miko K. W. Ng, Jian-Piao Cai, Kelvin Kai-Wang To, Man-Fung Yuen, Zhiwei Chen, Honglin Chen, Kwok-Yung Yuen, Ivan Fan-Ngai Hung
Summary: An intranasal COVID-19 vaccine, DelNS1-based RBD vaccines composed of H1N1 subtype (DelNS1-nCoV-RBD LAIV) was developed and tested for safety and immunogenicity in healthy adults. The study recruited 29 participants who were randomly assigned to receive the low or high dose vaccine or a placebo. The vaccine showed moderate mucosal immunogenicity and was well-tolerated, indicating the need for further clinical trials.
Article
Immunology
Ka Shing Cheung, Lok Ka Lam, Xianhua Mao, Jing Tong Tan, Poh Hwa Ooi, Ruiqi Zhang, Kwok Hung Chan, Ivan F. N. Hung, Wai Kay Seto, Man Fung Yuen
Summary: The study aimed to investigate the impact of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) on the immunogenicity of the BNT162b2 vaccine against wild-type and variant strains of SARS-CoV-2, as well as infection outcome. The results showed that NAFLD patients who received two doses of the BNT162b2 vaccine had good immunogenicity against wild-type and delta variant strains, but poor immunogenicity against the omicron variant, and they were not at a higher risk of infection compared to the control group.
Article
Microbiology
Xin Li, Huiluo Cao, Jonathan Hon-Kwan Chen, Yuey-Zhun Ng, Ka-Kin Fung, Vincent Chi-Chung Cheng, Pak-Leung Ho
Summary: Typhoid fever is a concerning disease in Hong Kong, with two local cases caused by Salmonella Typhi being identified within a two-week period in late 2022. A phylogenetic study of Salmonella Typhi isolates from Hong Kong Island between 2020 and 2022 revealed clonal transmission between the two cases. While most local strains belonged to the non-H58 genotype with low antibiotic resistance, the presence of extensively drug-resistant H58 strains is a worrying concern.
Article
Microbiology
Jonathan H. K. Chen, Hoi-Yi Leung, Charles M. C. Wong, Kwok-Yung Yuen, Vincent C. C. Cheng
Summary: This study investigates the molecular epidemiology of invasive S. argenteus in Hong Kong, finding a prevalence of 4.0% among the tested strains. The S. argenteus strains are generally susceptible to commonly used antibiotics, except for penicillin. Three genotypes of S. argenteus were identified, with ST-2250 and ST-1223 being the predominant genotypes. These strains carry multiple pathogenic genes and may cause food poisoning and toxic shock syndrome.
Article
Neurosciences
Tom Wai-Hin Chung, Hui Zhang, Fergus Kai-Chuen Wong, Siddharth Sridhar, Tatia Mei-Chun Lee, Gilberto Ka-Kit Leung, Koon-Ho Chan, Kui-Kai Lau, Anthony Raymond Tam, Deborah Tip-Yin Ho, Vincent Chi-Chung Cheng, Kwok-Yung Yuen, Ivan Fan-Ngai Hung, Henry Ka-Fung Mak
Summary: This pilot trial recruited long COVID patients with persistent olfactory dysfunction and found that a combination treatment of oral vitamin A and olfactory training was effective in improving olfactory function.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Christina S. M. Wong, Ivan F. N. Hung, Mike Y. W. Kwan, Martin M. H. Chung, Mandy W. M. Chan, Adrian K. C. Cheng, Y. M. Lau, C. K. Yeung, Henry H. L. Chan, C. S. Lau
Summary: This study found a low incidence of cutaneous manifestations in patients with COVID-19, and these manifestations were not associated with viral load or clinical outcomes. Older patients with multiple comorbidities are more likely to have high viral load and mortality, and should be closely monitored.
HONG KONG MEDICAL JOURNAL
(2023)
