Article
Immunology
Esther Ndungo, Liana R. Andronescu, Andrea G. Buchwald, Jose M. Lemme-Dumit, Patricia Mawindo, Neeraj Kapoor, Jeff Fairman, Miriam K. Laufer, Marcela F. Pasetti
Summary: Shigella is a significant cause of diarrheal diseases in children under 5 years of age, with varying incidence rates influenced by maternal immunity. Maternal antibodies, including protein-specific IgG and LPS-specific IgG, play a crucial role in preventing shigellosis in infants during the early months of life. Developing vaccines or therapeutics targeting these antibodies may help extend protection beyond maternal immunity.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Amanda Fabra-Garcia, Sophia Hailemariam, Roos M. de Jong, Kirsten Janssen, Karina Teelen, Marga van de Vegte-Bolmer, Geert-Jan van Gemert, Danton Ivanochko, Anthony Semesi, Brandon McLeod, Martijn W. Vos, Marloes H. C. de Bruijni, Judith M. Bolscher, Marta Szabat, Stefanie Vogt, Lucas Kraft, Sherie Duncan, Moses R. Kamya, Margaret E. Feeney, Prasanna Jagannathan, Bryan Greenhouse, Koen J. Dechering, Robert W. Sauerwein, C. Richter King, Randall S. MacGill, Teun Bousema, Jean-Philippe Julien, Matthijs M. Jore
Summary: Malaria transmission-blocking vaccines aim to induce antibodies that interrupt parasite development in mosquitoes, providing a tool for malaria control. We isolated and characterized 81 human monoclonal antibodies specific to the Pfs48/45 protein, a leading vaccine candidate. Potent antibodies targeting specific domains achieved high transmission-reducing activity. Co-crystal structures identified protective epitopes, providing insight for refined vaccine design.
Article
Veterinary Sciences
David E. Stallknecht, Alinde Fojtik, Deborah L. Carter, Jo Anne Crum-Bradley, Daniel R. Perez, Rebecca L. Poulson
Summary: This study investigated the prevalence of immune response to influenza A virus (IAV) in migrating mallards in Northwest Minnesota. The results showed a high level of previous infection with IAV early in the fall migration season and a broadening of the antibody response with age. The findings suggest the importance of population immunity in waterfowl populations and the potential for the establishment of introduced IAV.
VETERINARY SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Li-Jin Chan, Anugraha Gandhirajan, Lenore L. Carias, Melanie H. Dietrich, Oscar Vadas, Remy Visentin, Camila T. Franca, Sebastien Menant, Dominique Soldati-Favre, Ivo Mueller, Christopher L. King, Wai-Hong Tham
Summary: The study shows that antibodies against Plasmodium vivax RBP2b can provide protection against infection and disease, and inhibit invasion of reticulocytes. Researchers have identified different mechanisms by which human antibodies can inhibit the invasion ability of P. vivax RBP2b.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Giuseppe Ercoli, Elisa Ramos-Sevillano, Rie Nakajima, Rafael Ramiro de Assis, Algis Jasinskas, David Goldblatt, Philip Felgner, Gisbert Weckbecker, Jeremy Brown
Summary: Although B cell depletion significantly impairs antibody recognition of S. pneumoniae in colonized mice, some protective immunity is still maintained, perhaps mediated by cellular immunity.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Reuben Mcgregor, Aimee Paterson, Prachi Sharma, Tiffany Chen, Jarrod R. Lovell, Lauren H. Carlton, Andrew C. Steer, Joshua Osowicki, Jacelyn M. S. Loh, Nicole J. Moreland
Summary: This study reveals that naturally acquired immunity to Group A Streptococcus (GAS) strains differs between strains and challenges the notion that M-protein is the primary protective antigen across all GAS strains.
Article
Biology
William John Bradshaw, Michael Poeschla, Aleksandra Placzek, Samuel Kean, Dario Riccardo Valenzano
Summary: Aging individuals experience a decline in adaptive immune function and loss of immune-repertoire diversity. This study investigates immune-repertoire aging in African turquoise killifish and reveals a decline in diversity in both blood and intestinal immune repertoires with age. The results suggest significant differences in how age affects different B-cell populations, with large clones experiencing greater diversity loss than small clones.
Review
Microbiology
Muyideen Kolapo Tijani, Allan Lugaajju, Kristina E. M. Persson
Summary: Antibodies play a central role in acquired immunity against malaria, particularly in regions where a vaccine is not readily available. While naturally acquired antibodies provide some protection against Plasmodium falciparum, they do not confer sterile immunity and their mechanisms of action are still not fully understood. Studies have shown both beneficial and potentially harmful roles of naturally acquired antibodies, as well as the challenges of combining different antibodies in acquired immunity against malaria.
Article
Microbiology
Rebecca C. Oettle, Harriet A. Dickinson, Colin M. Fitzsimmons, Moussa Sacko, Edridah M. Tukahebwa, Iain W. Chalmers, Shona Wilson
Summary: This study provides the first comprehensive characterization of the S. haematobium TAL protein family and reveals its close relationship with protective immune response. The cross-reactivity between TAL proteins and related proteins during early infection stages has been confirmed through phylogenetic analysis and gene expression. Additionally, the involvement of TAL11 in inducing protective immune responses has been identified. This research is significant in improving our understanding of the mechanisms of protective immune responses in schistosomiasis.
Article
Immunology
Michelle K. Muthui, Eizo Takashima, Brian R. Omondi, Christine Kinya, William I. Muasya, Hikaru Nagaoka, Kennedy W. Mwai, Benedict Orindi, Juliana Wambua, Teun Bousema, Chris Drakeley, Andrew M. Blagborough, Kevin Marsh, Philip Bejon, Melissa C. Kapulu
Summary: Naturally acquired immunity to gametocyte antigens plays a crucial role in interrupting transmission, influenced by age and concurrent parasitaemia. Novel candidates for evaluating transmission-blocking activity have been identified in this study.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Surafel K. Tebeje, Wakweya Chali, Elifaged Hailemeskel, Jordache Ramjith, Abrham Gashaw, Temesgen Ashine, Desalegn Nebret, Endashaw Esayas, Tadele Emiru, Tizita Tsegaye, Karina Teelen, Kjerstin Lanke, Eizo Takashima, Takafumi Tsuboi, Nichole D. Salinas, Niraj H. Tolia, David Narum, Chris Drakeley, Benoit Witkowski, Amelie Vantaux, Matthijs M. Jore, William J. R. Stone, Ivo S. Hansen, Fitsum G. Tadesse, Teun Bousema
Summary: This study investigated the association between antibody prevalence and the infectivity of Plasmodium vivax to mosquitoes. The results showed that antibodies against Pvs47, Pvs230, and Pvs25 were significantly associated with a reduction in mosquito infection rates. Further research can help establish causality and contribute to our understanding of P. vivax transmission and vaccine development.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Nadege Nziza, Tuan M. Tran, Elizabeth A. DeRiso, Sepideh Dolatshahi, Jonathan D. Herman, Luna de Lacerda, Caroline Junqueira, Judy Lieberman, Aissata Ongoiba, Safiatou Doumbo, Kassoum Kayentao, Boubacar Traore, Peter D. Crompton, Galit Alter
Summary: This study demonstrates the evolution of functional humoral immunity to Plasmodium falciparum with age, and identifies specific antibody Fc-effector profiles associated with the control of malaria in children.
JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Sataporn Thongpoon, Wanlapa Roobsoong, Wang Nguitragool, Sadudee Chotirat, Takafumi Tsuboi, Eizo Takashima, Liwang Cui, Tomoko Ishino, Mayumi Tachibana, Kazutoyo Miura, Jetsumon Sattabongkot
Summary: This study aimed to investigate naturally acquired transmission-blocking immunity against Plasmodium vivax. The findings suggest that transmission-blocking immunity is primarily mediated by antibodies, with varying effectiveness against different parasite strains. These findings have implications for vaccine development.
JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Virology
Saina Beitari, Diana Duque, Jegarubee Bavananthasivam, Melissa Hewitt, Jagdeep K. Sandhu, Ita Hadzisejdic, Anh Tran
Summary: Since the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 in 2019, multiple variations of the original virus have been identified, each with different mutations that affect viral transmissibility and immune response. Exposure to different variants can result in varying immune patterns and responses. A study on hamsters showed that naturally acquired immunity protected against re-infection with different variants, regardless of the initial exposure. Understanding cross-protection and immune imprinting is crucial for vaccine strategies and public policy in response to new variants and future pandemics.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Graham R. Northrup, Lei Qian, Katia Bruxvoort, Florian M. Marx, Lilith K. Whittles, Joseph A. Lewnard
Summary: The study introduces a self-matched case-only inference method to control for individual exposure or susceptibility effects on the recurrence of infections, thereby controlling for confounding. The method compares event times for the pathogen of interest and negative-control endpoints to analyze the effect of previous infection on time to recurrence.
Article
Immunology
Jonathan M. Cohen, Michael J. Carter, C. Ronny Cheung, Shamez Ladhani
Summary: Little is known about the risk of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) with different severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants. In southeast England, MIS-C rates per confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infections in children aged 0-16 years were 56% lower during prevaccine Delta, 66% lower during postvaccine Delta, and 95% lower during the Omicron period.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Pediatrics
Sudhanshu Shekhar, Navdeep K. Brar, Fernanda C. Petersen
Summary: Exposure to antibiotics reduces the number of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, as well as suppresses Th1 and Th17 responses to Streptococcus pneumoniae in neonatal mice.
PEDIATRIC RESEARCH
(2023)
Editorial Material
Respiratory System
Jeremy S. Brown, John R. Hurst
EUROPEAN RESPIRATORY JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Molly Mitchell, Scott Nguyen, Mairead Connor, Derek J. Fairley, Orla Donoghue, Helina Marshall, Leonard Koolman, Geoff McMullan, Kirsten E. Schaffer, John W. McGrath, Seamus Fanning
Summary: A new species called Terrisporobacter hibernicus sp. nov. was discovered in Northern Ireland from bovine feces collected in 2016. This species is a Gram-positive, spore-forming anaerobic group and displays tolerance to salt and pH.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SYSTEMATIC AND EVOLUTIONARY MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Akuzike Kalizang'oma, Brenda Kwambana-Adams, Jia Mun Chan, Aishwarya Viswanath, Andrea Gori, Damien Richard, Keith A. Jolley, John Lees, David Goldblatt, Sandra Beleza, Stephen D. Bentley, Robert S. Heyderman, Chrispin Chaguza
Summary: Researchers developed a MLST scheme and defined sequence clusters of S. mitis using global genome data. The schemes captured extensive diversity and potential transmission events among healthy individuals. These tools offer a standardized approach for understanding the population structure of S. mitis.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Immunology
Eliza Gil, Emma Wall, Mahdad Noursadeghi, Jeremy S. Brown
Summary: Streptococcus pneumoniae is a major cause of meningitis, which involves damage to the brain by both bacteria and host inflammatory response. The entry point of the bacteria into the central nervous system (CNS) is unknown, but it requires binding and translocation across various barriers including the vascular endothelial barrier and the blood-CSF barrier. The presence of the bacteria in the CNS leads to inflammation and neutrophil infiltration, causing damage to both pathogen and host. Understanding the interactions between Streptococcus pneumoniae and the CNS barriers can have therapeutic implications.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Achal Dhariwal, Lars Christian Haugli Braten, Kjersti Sturod, Gabriela Salvadori, Ahmed Bargheet, Heidi amdal, Roger Junges, Dag Berild, John-Anker Zwart, Kjersti Storheim, Fernanda Cristina Petersen
Summary: Long-term exposure to amoxicillin has a persistent impact on the gut resistome, leading to an increase in antimicrobial resistance genes. However, changes in microbiome composition are transient and recover within 9 months.
Article
Respiratory System
Luke Daines, Bang Zheng, Omer Elneima, Ewen Harrison, Nazir I. Lone, John R. Hurst, Jeremy S. Brown, Elizabeth Sapey, James D. Chalmers, Jennifer K. Quint, Paul Pfeffer, Salman Siddiqui, Samantha Walker, Krisnah Poinasamy, Hamish McAuley, Marco Sereno, Aarti Shikotra, Amisha Singapuri, Annemarie B. Docherty, Michael Marks, Mark Toshner, Luke S. Howard, Alex Horsley, Gisli Jenkins, Joanna C. Porter, Ling-Pei Ho, Betty Raman, Louise V. Wain, Christopher E. Brightling, Rachael A. Evans, Liam G. Heaney, Anthony De Soyza, Aziz Sheikh
Summary: This study aimed to characterize and identify risk factors for patients with persistent breathlessness following COVID-19 hospitalization and develop a prediction model. The results showed that lower socioeconomic status, preexisting depression/anxiety, female sex, and longer hospital stay were risk factors for post-COVID-19 breathlessness. In contrast, Black ethnicity and older age groups were less likely to experience post-COVID-19 breathlessness. Breathlessness was associated with decreased exercise capacity and lung function, but not with obstructive airflow limitation.
Editorial Material
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Rebecca Grant, Jilian A. Sacks, Priya Abraham, Supamit Chunsuttiwat, Cheryl Cohen, J. Peter Figueroa, Thomas Fleming, Paul Fine, David Goldblatt, Hideki Hasegawa, C. Raina MacIntrye, Ziad A. Memish, Elizabeth Miller, Sergio Nishioka, Amadou A. Sall, Samba Sow, Oyewale Tomori, Youchun Wang, Maria D. Van Kerkhove, Marie-Ange Wambo, Homa Attar Cohen, Samuel Mesfin, James R. Otieno, Lorenzo Subissi, Sylvie Briand, David E. Wentworth, Kanta Subbarao
Summary: Vaccines for different SARS-CoV-2 variants have been authorized, but continuous monitoring is necessary to decide when vaccine antigen composition should be revised, along with clinical studies to assess vaccine effectiveness.
Article
Immunology
David Goldblatt, Nick J. Andrews, Carmen L. Sheppard, Samuel Rose, Parvinder K. Aley, Lucy Roalfe, Jo Southern, Hannah Robinson, Emma Pearce, Emma Plested, Marina Johnson, David J. Litt, Norman K. Fry, Pauline Waight, Matthew D. Snape, Elizabeth Miller
Summary: In January 2020, the UK switched from a 2 + 1 schedule to a 1 + 1 schedule for the 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) based on a randomized immunogenicity trial. Carriage prevalence of vaccine-type pneumococcal strains remained similar between the two schedules. Ongoing population-level studies are needed to confirm these findings.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Sudhanshu Shekhar, Navdeep Kaur Brar, Anders P. Hakansson, Fernanda Cristina Petersen
Summary: This study investigated the impact of amoxicillin and HAMLET (human alpha-lactalbumin made lethal to tumor cells) treatment on T cell responses to Streptococcus pneumoniae in infant mice. Lung cells and splenocytes were isolated from mice treated with amoxicillin, HAMLET, or a combination of both, and cultured with S. pneumoniae to measure T cell responses. Results showed that amoxicillin treatment resulted in lower levels of Th17 (IL-17A), but not Th1 (IFN-gamma), cytokine production in lung cells compared to HAMLET or control treatment. However, there were no significant differences in cytokine levels among treatment groups in splenocytes. Flow cytometry analysis revealed decreased levels of IL-17A in lung CD4+, but not CD8+, T cells from amoxicillin- or HAMLET plus amoxicillin-treated mice compared to HAMLET-exposed or control mice. Overall, these findings suggest that amoxicillin exposure may suppress lung Th17 responses to S. pneumoniae in infant mice.
Article
Critical Care Medicine
Helen Hill, Elena Mitsi, Elissavet Nikolaou, Annie Blizard, Sherin Pojar, Ashleigh Howard, Angela Hyder-Wright, Jack Devin, Jesus Reine, Ryan Robinson, Carla Solorzano, Simon P. Jochems, Tinashe Kenny-Nyazika, Elisa Ramos-Sevillano, Caroline M. Weight, Chris Myerscough, Daniella McLenaghan, Ben Morton, Emily Gibbons, Madlen Farrar, Victoria Randles, Hassan Burhan, Tao Chen, Adam D. Shandling, Joe J. Campo, Robert S. Heyderman, Stephen B. Gordon, Jeremy S. Brown, Andrea M. Collins, Daniela M. Ferreira
Summary: This study investigates the protective effects of nasopharyngeal colonization with attenuated Streptococcus pneumoniae (Spn) strains against re-colonization with wild-type strains. The results indicate that nasal administration of genetically modified live attenuated Spn is safe and induces protection against re-colonization, suggesting it could be an effective strategy for preventing pneumococcal infections.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF RESPIRATORY AND CRITICAL CARE MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Tanya Lam, Anja Saso, Arturo Torres Ortiz, James Hatcher, Marc Woodman, Shruthi Chandran, Rosie Thistlethwayte, Timothy Best, Marina Johnson, Helen Wagstaffe, Annabelle Mai, Matthew Buckland, Kimberly Gilmour, David Goldblatt, Louis Grandjean, Co STARs Study Team
Summary: This study found that household overcrowding, Black ethnicity, increasing age, and lack of access to sick pay were the main risk factors for SARS-CoV-2 infection among healthcare workers. It also highlighted the importance of providing easier access to sick pay for externally contracted staff.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Letter
Medicine, General & Internal
Ratna Wijaya, Marina Johnson, Nicola Campbell, Beth Stuart, Adam Kelly, Nicole Tipler, Tobias Menne, Matthew J. Ahearne, Victoria Willimott, Anna Bowzyk Al-Naeeb, Christopher P. Fox, Graham P. Collins, Ann O' Callaghan, Andrew J. Davies, David Goldblatt, Sean H. Lim
Article
Infectious Diseases
Katherine E. Gallagher, Ifedayo M. O. Adetifa, Caroline Mburu, Christian Bottomley, Donald Akech, Angela Karani, Emma Pearce, Yanyun Wang, E. Wangeci Kagucia, David Goldblatt, Laura L. Hammitt, J. Anthony G. Scott
Summary: This study aimed to assess the impact of pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV10) on population immunity in Kilifi, Kenya. The results showed that the introduction of the vaccine increased protective antibody levels in young children, but the levels waned rapidly over time. However, children aged 10-14 years showed consistently high antibody levels, possibly due to continued exposure to vaccine serotypes or memory responses to cross-reactive antigens.
LANCET INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)