Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Liang Wang, Xavier Didelot, Yuhai Bi, George F. Gao
Summary: Since the start of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, several variants of concern with increased transmissibility have been reported. Current vaccines only provide partial protection against infection and onward transmission. Through phylogenetic analysis and epidemiological modeling, researchers found that lineage B had significantly higher transmissibility than lineage A and played a major role in the global pandemic. The probability of onward transmission from vaccinated individuals infected with SARS-CoV-2 VOCs was slightly lower but not significantly different from unvaccinated individuals. Tailoring prevention strategies should consider both VOCs and exponentially growing lineages in each country. One dose of vaccination alone cannot efficiently prevent the onward transmission of SARS-CoV-2 VOCs, and nonpharmaceutical interventions should still be implemented during the vaccination period.
BRIEFINGS IN BIOINFORMATICS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Erik Volz, Swapnil Mishra, Meera Chand, Jeffrey C. Barrett, Robert Johnson, Lily Geidelberg, Wes R. Hinsley, Daniel J. Laydon, Gavin Dabrera, Aine O. Toole, Robert Amato, Manon Ragonnet-Cronin, Ian Harrison, Ben Jackson, Cristina Ariani, Olivia Boyd, Nicholas J. Loman, John T. McCrone, Sonia Goncalves, David Jorgensen, Richard Myers, Verity Hill, David K. Jackson, Katy Gaythorpe, Natalie Groves, John Sillitoe, Dominic P. Kwiatkowski, Seth Flaxman, Oliver Ratmann, Samir Bhatt, Susan Hopkins, Axel Gandy, Andrew Rambaut, Neil M. Ferguson
Summary: Genetic and testing data from England indicate that the SARS-CoV-2 variant B.1.1.7 has a transmission advantage over other lineages, showing a rapid expansion during autumn 2020. Analysis of S gene target failures (SGTF) in community-based diagnostic PCR testing suggests that B.1.1.7 is more transmissible than non-variant of concern lineages and has a significant transmission advantage, with a reproduction number 50% to 100% higher. Additionally, cases of B.1.1.7 appear to include a larger share of under 20-year-olds compared to non-variant cases.
Article
Biology
Nick Golding, David J. Price, Gerard Ryan, Jodie McVernon, James M. McCaw, Freya M. Shearer
Summary: Against the backdrop of global transmission, some countries have successfully controlled large outbreaks of COVID-19 and maintained near-elimination status. Tracking disease transmissibility in near real-time is crucial for epidemic response. A semi-mechanistic modelling framework that combines behavioral data and case data has been developed to estimate the transmissibility of SARS-CoV-2 during periods of high to low - or zero - case incidence, providing valuable information for tracking and planning the control of outbreaks and monitoring the risk of virus reintroduction.
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.
Review
Immunology
Antonio Bertoletti, Nina Le Bert, Martin Qui, Anthony T. Tan
Summary: Virus-specific T cells during SARS-CoV-2 infection can play a dual role in either protection or pathogenesis, highlighting the importance of studying the function of these cells for future therapeutic and preventative strategies.
CELLULAR & MOLECULAR IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biology
Nir Gavish, Guy Katriel
Summary: Optimizing vaccine allocations among different segments of the population is crucial for effective vaccination campaigns. Typically, priority is given to vaccinating individuals with the highest risk of being infected. However, this study shows that for leaky vaccines and highly transmissible infections, the optimal allocation strategy is to prioritize vaccinating those who are least likely to be infected.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2022)
Letter
Medicine, General & Internal
Anoop S. V. Shah, Ciara Gribben, Jennifer Bishop, Peter Hanlon, David Caldwell, Rachael Wood, Martin Reid, Jim McMenamin, David Goldberg, Diane Stockton, Sharon Hutchinson, Chris Robertson, Paul M. McKeigue, Helen M. Colhoun, David A. McAllister
Summary: Vaccination of healthcare workers against SARS-CoV-2 in Scotland was found to reduce household transmission, indicating the positive impact of vaccination on curbing the spread of the virus.
NEW ENGLAND JOURNAL OF MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Giorgio Guzzetta, Flavia Riccardo, Valentina Marziano, Piero Poletti, Filippo Trentini, Antonino Bella, Xanthi Andrianou, Martina Del Manso, Massimo Fabiani, Stefania Bellino, Stefano Boros, Alberto Mateo Urdiales, Maria Fenicia Vescio, Andrea Piccioli, Silvio Brusaferro, Giovanni Rezza, Patrizio Pezzotti, Marco Ajelli, Stefano Merler
Summary: Italy imposed a national lockdown on March 11, 2020 to curb the spread of SARS-CoV-2. The net reproduction number dropped below 1 14 days after lockdown and remained stable at approximately 0.76 in all regions for at least 3 weeks.
EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Zhenhao Fang, Lei Peng, Renata Filler, Kazushi Suzuki, Andrew McNamara, Qianqian Lin, Paul A. Renauer, Luojia Yang, Bridget Menasche, Angie Sanchez, Ping Ren, Qiancheng Xiong, Madison Strine, Paul Clark, Chenxiang Lin, Albert Ko, Nathan D. Grubaugh, Craig B. Wilen, Sidi Chen
Summary: Researchers have developed an Omicron-specific mRNA vaccine candidate and tested its efficacy in animals. The vaccine shows strong antibody response and acts as a booster to improve the effectiveness of the existing vaccine. Interestingly, the heterologous Omicron booster demonstrates higher neutralization potency against the Omicron variant compared to the homologous booster, with comparable effectiveness against the Delta variant.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Eleonora Ricci, Anamaria Glavasc, Barbara Morandini, Maria Caterina Grassi, Giuseppe La Torre
Summary: Prophylactic use of paracetamol can reduce the adverse effects of COVID-19 vaccination, with significant effects in reducing asthenia.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Zengmiao Wang, Peiyi Wu, Jingyuan Wang, Jose Lourenco, Bingying Li, Benjamin Rader, Marko Laine, Hui Miao, Ligui Wang, Hongbin Song, Nita Bharti, John S. Brownstein, Ottar N. Bjornstad, Christopher Dye, Huaiyu Tian
Summary: The proportion of asymptomatic infections decreases with age, with children and young adults more likely to have asymptomatic infections. Surveillance strategies for SARS-CoV-2 should take age into account.
JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY INTERFACE
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Marianne Graninger, Jeremy V. Camp, Stephan W. Aberle, Marianna T. Traugott, Wolfgang Hoepler, Elisabeth Puchhammer-Stoeckl, Lukas Weseslindtner, Alexander Zoufaly, Judith H. Aberle, Karin Stiasny
Summary: This study analyzed neutralizing antibody responses to SARS-CoV-2 variants in individuals recovered from infection in 2020 and vaccinees. The results showed that non-hospitalized patients had the lowest neutralization titers, while hospitalized patients had similar or higher titers compared to vaccinated individuals. Neutralizing activity declined significantly after six months and mutations in the infecting strain's spike protein affected neutralization.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Letter
Medicine, General & Internal
Lauren Brinkley-Rubinstein, Meghan Peterson, Rosemarie Martin, Philip Chan, Justin Berk
Summary: A study in a Rhode Island prison complex with 2380 vaccinated persons found 27 breakthrough cases of Covid-19, all of which were asymptomatic. It suggests that vaccination is safe and effective at preventing SARS-CoV-2 transmission in a prison setting.
NEW ENGLAND JOURNAL OF MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Anna Sabrina Kuechler, Sandra Weinhold, Fritz Boege, Ortwin Adams, Lisa Mueller, Florian Babor, Sabrina B. Bennstein, T-X Uyen Pham, Maryam Hejazi, Sarah B. Reusing, Derik Hermsen, Markus Uhrberg, Karin Schulze-Bosse
Summary: This study describes a diagnostic procedure for scheduling (re-)vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 based on individual humoral immunization status. The researchers monitored individuals before, during, and six months after vaccination with the Spikevax vaccine. The study found that measuring serum-based SARS-CoV-2 antibody levels could potentially support personalized vaccination schedules.
Article
Immunology
Marion Migueres, Chloe Dimeglio, Jean Michel Mansuy, Florence Abravanel, Stephanie Raymond, Justine Latour, Nicolas Jeanne, Noemie Ranger, Sebastien Lhomme, Karine Saune, Pauline Tremeaux, Jacques Izopet
Summary: Using variant typing polymerase chain reaction, this study describes the evolution of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron sublineages between December 2021 and mid-March 2022. The advantage of the BA.2 variant over BA.1 is not attributed to greater nasopharyngeal viral loads.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Yan Niu, Jia Rui, Qiupeng Wang, Wei Zhang, Zhiwei Chen, Fang Xie, Zeyu Zhao, Shengnan Lin, Yuanzhao Zhu, Yao Wang, Jingwen Xu, Xingchun Liu, Meng Yang, Wei Zheng, Kaixin Chen, Yilan Xia, Lijuan Xu, Shi Zhang, Rongrong Ji, Taisong Jin, Yong Chen, Benhua Zhao, Yanhua Su, Tie Song, Tianmu Chen, Guoqing Hu
Summary: There are significant variations in the effectiveness of COVID-19 prevention and control efforts across countries during the non-pharmacological intervention phase. European countries had higher R-t values initially, but all European countries were able to control the epidemic. The Western Pacific Region showed the best performance in continuous epidemic control.
FRONTIERS IN MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Wei Zhang, Jia Rui, Xiaoqing Cheng, Bin Deng, Hesong Zhang, Lijing Huang, Lexin Zhang, Simiao Zuo, Junru Li, XingCheng Huang, Yanhua Su, Benhua Zhao, Yan Niu, Hongwei Li, Jian-li Hu, Tianmu Chen
Summary: This study analyzed the transmissibility of HFMD in different counties of Jiangsu Province, China and explored the factors influencing its transmissibility. The results showed variations in transmissibility among different counties, which may be related to factors such as climate, demographic characteristics, virus subtypes, vaccination, hygiene, and other infectious diseases.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Peihua Li, Jia Rui, Yan Niu, Fang Xie, Yifang Wang, Zhuoyang Li, Chan Liu, Shanshan Yu, Jiefeng Huang, Li Luo, Bin Deng, Weikang Liu, Tianlong Yang, Qun Li, Tianmu Chen
Summary: HFMD has a high incidence rate in Shenzhen city, with the highest infection rate in the 0-2 years age group and the lowest in the over 5 years age group. The differences in EV71 infection rates among age groups are statistically significant, and children aged 0-2 years have the highest transmissibility.
FRONTIERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Yan Niu, Li Luo, Shiting Yang, Guzainuer Abudurusuli, Xiaoye Wang, Zeyu Zhao, Jia Rui, Zhuoyang Li, Bin Deng, Weikang Liu, Zhe Zhang, Kangguo Li, Chan Liu, Peihua Li, Jiefeng Huang, Tianlong Yang, Yao Wang, Tianmu Chen, Qun Li
Summary: With the evolution of the virus, the transmissibility of the variants has increased. The transmissibility of the Omicron variant is higher than that of both the pre-Delta strains and the Delta variant, and is more difficult to suppress.
FRONTIERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Zimei Yang, Jia Rui, Li Qi, Wenjing Ye, Yan Niu, Kaiwei Luo, Bin Deng, Shi Zhang, Shanshan Yu, Chan Liu, Peihua Li, Rui Wang, Hongjie Wei, Hesong Zhang, Lijin Huang, Simiao Zuo, Lexin Zhang, Shurui Zhang, Shiting Yang, Yichao Guo, Qinglong Zhao, Shenggen Wu, Qin Li, Yong Chen, Tianmu Chen
Summary: This study used a mathematical epidemiological model and reported data from five regions in China to explore the interaction between different pathogens in Hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD). The results showed cross-regional differences in the transmissibility of the pathogens.
FRONTIERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Qiuping Chen, Shanshan Yu, Jia Rui, Yichao Guo, Shiting Yang, Guzainuer Abudurusuli, Zimei Yang, Chan Liu, Li Luo, Mingzhai Wang, Zhao Lei, Qinglong Zhao, Laurent Gavotte, Yan Niu, Roger Frutos, Tianmu Chen
Summary: Despite the steady decline in the global tuberculosis epidemic, school tuberculosis outbreaks have been frequently reported in China. This study found that the non-student population plays a dominant role in the transmission of tuberculosis, exerting a strong influence on the transmission among students.
INFECTIOUS DISEASES OF POVERTY
(2022)
Review
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Bin Deng, Yan Niu, Jingwen Xu, Jia Rui, Shengnan Lin, Zeyu Zhao, Shanshan Yu, Yichao Guo, Li Luo, Tianmu Chen, Qun Li
Summary: Mathematical models have been crucial in managing the COVID-19 pandemic. Data-driven models are effective for predicting epidemics, while mechanism-driven models help estimate transmissibility and evaluate interventions. However, these models have limitations and require comprehensive considerations of data and applications.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Kangguo Li, Zeyu Zhao, Hongjie Wei, Jia Rui, Jiefeng Huang, Xiaohao Guo, Yichao Guo, Shiting Yang, Guzainuer Abudurusuli, Li Luo, Xingchun Liu, Yao Wang, Jingwen Xu, Yuanzhao Zhu, Meng Yang, Tianlong Yang, Weikang Liu, Bin Deng, Chan Liu, Zhuoyang Li, Peihua Li, Shanshan Yu, Zimei Yang, Yanhua Su, Benhua Zhao, Yan Niu, Tianmu Chen
Summary: The study findings suggest that unless booster vaccines have efficacy against infectivity and susceptibility of more than 90%, covering 80% of high-risk populations with booster vaccines may not fully prevent outbreaks of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Therefore, implementing a COVID-19 booster vaccine strategy for high-risk populations who are already vaccinated is recommended to control the transmission of virus variants in China.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Yan Niu, Li Luo, Jia Rui, Shiting Yang, Bin Deng, Zeyu Zhao, Shengnan Lin, Jingwen Xu, Yuanzhao Zhu, Yao Wang, Meng Yang, Xingchun Liu, Tianlong Yang, Weikang Liu, Peihua Li, Zhuoyang Li, Chan Liu, Jiefeng Huang, Tianmu Chen
Summary: The control measures implemented during the COVID-19 outbreak in China have had a significant impact on the spread of hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD). While the incidence and effective reproductive number (Reff) of HFMD decreased initially, there was a rebound in the second half of 2020. The study also showed that the total attack rate (TAR) in 2020 was lower than in previous years, indicating that the preventive measures for COVID-19 have played a key role in containing the transmission of HFMD.
JOURNAL OF SAFETY SCIENCE AND RESILIENCE
(2021)
Correction
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Yan Niu, Fujie Xu
LANCET GLOBAL HEALTH
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Zijian Feng, Qun Li, Yanping Zhang, Zunyou Wu, Xiaoping Dong, Huilai Ma, Dapeng Yin, Ke Lyu, Dayan Wang, Lei Zhou, Ruiqi Ren, Chao Li, Yali Wang, Dan Ni, Jing Zhao, Bin Li, Rui Wang, Yan Niu, Xiaohua Wang, Lijie Zhang, Jingfang Sun, Boxi Liu, Zhiqiang Deng, Zhitao Ma, Yang Yang, Hui Liu, Ge Shao, Huan Li, Yuan Liu, Hangjie Zhang, Shuquan Qu, Wei Lou, Dou Shan, Yuehua Hu, Lei Hou, Zhenping Zhao, Jiangmei Liu, Hongyuan Wang, Yuanjie Pang, Yuting Han, Qiuyue Ma, Yujia Ma, Shi Chen, Wei Li, Routong Yang, Zhewu Li, Yingnan Guo, Xinran Liu, Bahabaike Jiangtulu, Zhaoxue Yin, Juan Xu, Shuo Wang, Lin Xiao, Tao Xu, Limin Wang, Xiao Qi, Guoqing Shi, Wenxiao Tu, Xiaomin Shi, Xuemei Su, Zhongjie Li, Huiming Luo, Jiaqi Ma, Jennifer M. McGoogan
Article
Immunology
Nijuan Xiang, Fiona Havers, Tao Chen, Ying Song, Wenxiao Tu, Leilei Li, Yang Cao, Bo Liu, Lei Zhou, Ling Meng, Zhiheng Hong, Rui Wang, Yan Niu, Jianyi Yao, Kaiju Liao, Lianmei Jin, Yanping Zhang, Qun Li, Marc-Alain Widdowson, Zijian Feng
EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2013)