Comparison of Stress and Suicide-Related Behaviors Among Korean Youths Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic | Adolescent Medicine | JAMA Network Open | JAMA Network
This cross-sectional study examines the association of the early COVID-19 pandemic period and self-reported stress and suicide-related behaviors among Korean youths aged 12 to 18 years.
Alarm as almost 20% of South Africa's healthcare workers contract Covid - The Mail & Guardian
Omicron can re-infect people who caught Covid-19 before and people who have been vaccinated. This, and the 10-day healthcare worker ‘isolate and contact trace’ policy puts pressure on other healthcare workers
Impaired Cytotoxic CD8+ T Cell Response in Elderly COVID-19 Patients | mBio
Cytotoxic T cells are responsible for the elimination of infected cells and are key
players in the control of viruses. CD8+ T cells with an effector phenotype express cytotoxic molecules and are able to perform
target cell killing. COVID-19 patients with ...
The ORF8 protein of SARS-CoV-2 mediates immune evasion through down-regulating MHC-Ι
We report that SARS-CoV-2 utilizes its ORF8 protein as a unique mechanism to alter the expression of surface MHC-Ι expression to evade immune surveillance. Our study is significant for providing an understanding of the pathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2 and will provide additional perspective to the intensive ongoing investigation into the mechanism and function of T cell antiviral immunity in COVID-19.
All study data are included in the article and/or [ SI Appendix ][1].
[1]: https://www.pnas.org/lookup/suppl/doi:10.1073/pnas.2024202118/-/DCSupplemental
Evidence for a mouse origin of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant
The rapid accumulation of mutations in the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant that enabled
its outbreak raises questions as to whether its proximal origin occurred in humans or
another mammalian host. Here, we identified 45 point mutations that Omicron acquired
since divergence from the B.1.1 lineage. We found that the Omicron spike protein
sequence was subjected to stronger positive selection than that of any reported SARS-
CoV-2 variants known to evolve persistently in human hosts, suggesting the possibility of
host-jumping. The molecular spectrum (i.e., the relative frequency of the twelve types of
base substitutions) of mutations acquired by the progenitor of Omicron was significantly
different from the spectrum for viruses that evolved in human patients, but was highly
consistent with spectra associated with evolution in a mouse cellular environment.
Furthermore, mutations in the Omicron spike protein significantly overlapped with
SARS-CoV-2 mutations known to promote adaptation to mouse hosts, particularly
through enhanced spike protein binding affinity for the mouse cell entry receptor.
Collectively, our results suggest that the progenitor of Omicron jumped from humans to mice, rapidly accumulated mutations conducive to infecting that host, then jumped backinto humans, indicating an inter-species evolutionary trajectory for the Omicron outbreak.
Four coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccines have now been approved for use in the UK. Rigorous
clinical trials have been undertaken to understand the immune response, safety profile and
efficacy of these vaccines as part of the regulatory process. Ongoing monitoring of the vaccines
as they are rolled out in the population is important to continually ensure that clinical and public
health guidance on the vaccination programme is built upon the best available evidence.
UK Health Security Agency, UKHSA, formerly Public Health England (PHE), works closely with
the Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Agency (MHRA), NHS England, and other
government, devolved administration and academic partners to monitor the COVID-19
vaccination programme. Details of the vaccine surveillance strategy are set on the page
COVID-19: vaccine surveillance strategy (1). As with all vaccines, the safety of COVID-19
vaccines is continuously being monitored by the MHRA. They conclude that overall, the benefits
of COVID-19 vaccines outweigh any potential risks (2).
AHA journal tones down abstract linking COVID-19 vaccines to risk of heart problems – Retraction Watch
The American Heart Association has published a corrected version of a controversial meeting abstract which claimed to show that Covid-19 vaccinations “dramatically” increased a person’s risk for se…
Activity of convalescent and vaccine serum against a B.1.1.529 variant SARS-CoV-2 isolate
The B.1.1.529 (Omicron) variant of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was identified in November of 2021 in South Africa and Botswana as well as in a sample of a traveler from South Africa in Hong Kong.1,2 Since then, B.1.1.529 has been detected in many countries globally. This variant seems to be more infectious than B.1.617.2 (Delta), has already caused super spreader events3 and has outcompeted Delta within weeks in several countries and metropolitan areas. B.1.1.529 hosts an unprecedented number of mutations in its spike gene and early reports have provided evidence for extensive immune escape and reduced vaccine effectiveness.2,4-6 Here, we investigated the neutralizing and binding activity of sera from convalescent, mRNA double vaccinated, mRNA boosted as well as convalescent double vaccinated and convalescent boosted individuals against wild type, B.1.351 and B.1.1.529 SARS-CoV-2 isolates. Neutralizing activity of sera from convalescent and double vaccinated participants was undetectable to very low against B.1.1.529 while neutralizing activity of sera from individuals who had been exposed to spike three or four times was maintained, albeit at strongly reduced levels. Binding to the B.1.1.529 receptor binding domain (RBD) and N-terminal domain (NTD) was reduced in convalescent not vaccinated but was mostly retained in vaccinated individuals.
### Competing Interest Statement
The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai has filed patent applications relating to SARS-CoV-2 serological assays and NDV-based SARS-CoV-2 vaccines which list Florian Krammer as co-inventor. Viviana Simon is also listed on the serological assay patent application as co-inventor. Mount Sinai has spun out a company, Kantaro, to market serological tests for SARS-CoV-2. Florian Krammer has consulted for Merck and Pfizer (before 2020), and is currently consulting for Pfizer, Third Rock Ventures, Seqirus and Avimex. The Krammer laboratory is also collaborating with Pfizer on animal models of SARS-CoV-2.
### Funding Statement
This work is part of the PARIS/SPARTA studies funded by the NIAID Collaborative Influenza Vaccine Innovation Centers (CIVIC) contract 75N93019C00051. In addition, this work was also partially funded by the NIAID Centers of Excellence for Influenza Research and Response (CEIRR) contract and 75N93021C00014 by anonymous donors. This work is part of the NIAID SARS-CoV-2 Assessment of Viral Evolution (SAVE) program.
### Author Declarations
I confirm all relevant ethical guidelines have been followed, and any necessary IRB and/or ethics committee approvals have been obtained.
Yes
The details of the IRB/oversight body that provided approval or exemption for the research described are given below:
The study was reviewed and approved by the Mount Sinai Hospital Institutional Review Board (IRB-20-03374).
I confirm that all necessary patient/participant consent has been obtained and the appropriate institutional forms have been archived, and that any patient/participant/sample identifiers included were not known to anyone (e.g., hospital staff, patients or participants themselves) outside the research group so cannot be used to identify individuals.
Yes
I understand that all clinical trials and any other prospective interventional studies must be registered with an ICMJE-approved registry, such as ClinicalTrials.gov. I confirm that any such study reported in the manuscript has been registered and the trial registration ID is provided (note: if posting a prospective study registered retrospectively, please provide a statement in the trial ID field explaining why the study was not registered in advance).
Yes
I have followed all appropriate research reporting guidelines and uploaded the relevant EQUATOR Network research reporting checklist(s) and other pertinent material as supplementary files, if applicable.
Yes
All data produced in the present study are available upon reasonable request to the authors
Vaccine effectiveness against SARS-CoV-2 infection with the Omicron or Delta variants following a two-dose or booster BNT162b2 or mRNA-1273 vaccination series: A Danish cohort study
In this brief communication we are showing original research results with early estimates from
Danish nationwide databases of vaccine effectiveness (VE) against the novel SARS-CoV-2
Omicron variant (B.1.1.529) up to five months after a primary vaccination series with the
BNT162b2 or mRNA-1273 vaccines.
Our study provides evidence of protection against infection with the Omicron variant after
completion of a primary vaccination series with the BNT162b2 or mRNA-1273 vaccines; in
particular, we found a VE against the Omicron variant of 55.2% (95% confidence interval (CI): 23.5
to 73.7%) and 36.7% (95% CI: -69.9 to 76.4%) for the BNT162b2 and mRNA-1273 vaccines,
respectively, in the first month after primary vaccination. However, the VE is significantly lower than
that against Delta infection and declines rapidly over just a few months. The VE is re-established
upon revaccination with the BNT162b2 vaccine (54.6%, 95% CI: 30.4 to 70.4%).
Efficacy of a Broadly Neutralizing SARS-CoV-2 Ferritin Nanoparticle Vaccine in Nonhuman Primates
The emergence of novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants stresses the continued need for next-generation vaccines that confer broad protection against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). We developed and evaluated an adjuvanted SARS-CoV-2 Spike Ferritin Nanoparticle (SpFN) vaccine in nonhuman primates (NHPs). High-dose (50 µ g) SpFN vaccine, given twice within a 28 day interval, induced a Th1-biased CD4 T cell helper response and a peak neutralizing antibody geometric mean titer of 52,773 against wild-type virus, with activity against SARS-CoV-1 and minimal decrement against variants of concern. Vaccinated animals mounted an anamnestic response upon high-dose SARS-CoV-2 respiratory challenge that translated into rapid elimination of replicating virus in their upper and lower airways and lung parenchyma. SpFN’s potent and broad immunogenicity profile and resulting efficacy in NHPs supports its utility as a candidate platform for SARS-like betacoronaviruses.
One-Sentence Summary A SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein ferritin nanoparticle vaccine, co-formulated with a liposomal adjuvant, elicits broad neutralizing antibody responses that exceed those observed for other major vaccines and rapidly protects against respiratory infection and disease in the upper and lower airways and lung tissue of nonhuman primates.
### Competing Interest Statement
M. Gordon Joyce and Kayvon Modjarrad are primary co-inventors on pending patents for material presented in this manuscript.
The emergence of variants of concern, some with reduced susceptibility to COVID-19 vaccines underscores consideration for the understanding of vaccine design that optimizes induction of effective cellular and humoral immune responses. We assessed a SARS-CoV-2 spike-ferritin nanoparticle (SpFN) immun …
F423c9f4 91cb 0274 Effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines against the Omicron (B.1.1.529) variant of concern70e8fad50074
On 26 November 2021 the World Health Organization (WHO) Technical Advisory Group
on SARS-CoV-2 Virus Evolution named the B.1.1.529 COVID-19 variant, first detected in
Botswana and South Africa, as the Omicron variant of concern (1). This classification was
based on a rapid increase in cases in South Africa, coinciding with an increase in
detections of Omicron, a number of concerning mutations and early evidence suggesting
an increased risk of reinfections.
A large number of mutations have been identified in the Omicron variant, including multiple
mutations to the receptor binding domain of the spike protein which have been associated
with reduced antibody response (2). Emerging laboratory data indicate a reduced
neutralising antibody response to Omicron compared to the original COVID-19 virus or the
Delta variant in vaccinated individuals, though booster doses increased the antibody titres
(3, 4). Neutralising antibody has been found to correlate with protection against reinfection
and vaccine effectiveness against infection, therefore reduced vaccine effectiveness
against Omicron is anticipated based on the early laboratory findings (5, 6, 7).
COVID-19 vaccines have been found to be highly effective against symptomatic disease
and, more so, against severe disease outcomes with the original COVID-19 virus as well
as the Alpha variant that predominated in early 2021 (8-14). Modest reductions in vaccine
effectiveness against infection and mild disease have been seen with the Beta variant and
the Delta variant, though effectiveness against severe disease has remained high (15-18).
Waning of protection several months after a primary course has been observed with the
Delta variant, however, booster doses lead to a significant increase in protection against
both mild and severe disease outcomes (18-23).
Omicron cases identified through whole genome sequencing first began to be detected in
the UK in specimens from mid-November 2021. Initially cases occurred primarily in
travellers and their close contacts but there was evidence of community transmission from
late November (24). The UK COVID-19 vaccination programme has been in place since
December 2020 with primary courses of 2 doses of either BNT162b2 (Pfizer-BioNTech,
Comirnaty®), ChAdOx1-S (Vaxzevria, AstraZeneca) or mRNA-1273 (Spikevax, Moderna).
Coverage with 2 doses is over 60% in all cohorts over 20 years and over 80% in all
cohorts over 50 years and vaccinations are now also being offered to children over the age
of 12 years (25). Booster vaccination with either BNT162b2 or a half dose (50μg) of
mRNA-1273 was introduced in September 2021 to adults over 50 years and those in risk
groups, and later expanded to all adults. Initially boosters were offered 6 months after
completion of the primary course. With the emergence of the Omicron variant, this interval
was reduced to 3 months.
HKUMed finds Omicron SARS-CoV-2 can infect faster and better than Delta in human bronchus but with less severe infection in lung
A study led by researchers from HKUMed provides the first information on how the novel Variant of Concern of SARS-CoV-2, the Omicron SARS-CoV-2, infect human respiratory tract.
Recent surveillance has revealed the emergence of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant
(BA.1/B.1.1.529) harboring up to 36 mutations in spike protein, the target of vaccine-induced
neutralizing antibodies. Given its potential to escape vaccine-induced humoral immunity, we
measured neutralization potency of sera from 88 mRNA-1273, 111 BNT162b, and 40
Ad26.COV2.S vaccine recipients against wild type, Delta, and Omicron SARS-CoV-2
pseudoviruses. We included individuals that were vaccinated recently (3 months), distantly (6-
12 months), or recently boosted, and accounted for prior SARS-CoV-2 infection. Remarkably,
neutralization of Omicron was undetectable in most vaccinated individuals. However, individuals
boosted with mRNA vaccines exhibited potent neutralization of Omicron only 4-6-fold lower than
wild type, suggesting that boosters enhance the cross-reactivity of neutralizing antibody
responses. In addition, we find Omicron pseudovirus is more infectious than any other variant
tested. Overall, this study highlights the importance of boosters to broaden neutralizing antibody
responses against highly divergent SARS-CoV-2 variants.
Die Europäische Arzneimittel-Agentur bestätigte keine 5943
Seit Anfang April 2021 haben Tausende Facebook-User ein Bild geteilt, das eine Rechnung mit Zahlen der Europäischen Arzneimittel-Agentur (EMA) zu Verdachtsfällen von Covid-19-Impftoten zeigen soll. Demnach könnten 5943 Menschen an möglichen Impfreaktionen gestorben sein, heißt es in den Postings. Die Datenbank listet allerdings lediglich Reaktionen nach der Impfung auf, darunter auch tödliche. Weil in der Regel einzelne Verstorbene mehrere tödliche Symptome zeigten, tauchen diese auch mehrfach in der EMA-Liste auf. Die tatsächliche Zahl an Menschen, die in zeitlicher Nähe einer Impfung gestorben sind, ist kleiner. Einen kausalen Zusammenhang dieser Todesfälle mit einer Covid-Impfung stellen die Zahlen nach Angaben der EMA ausdrücklich nicht dar.
COVID-19: Does the infectious inoculum dose-response relationship contribute to understanding heterogeneity in disease severity and transmission dynamics?
The variation in the speed and intensity of SARS-CoV-2 transmission and severity of the resulting COVID-19 disease are still imperfectly understood. We postulate a dose-response relationship in COVID-19, and that “the dose of virus in the initial ...
Persistent symptoms following SARS-CoV-2 infection among children and young people: a meta-analysis of controlled and uncontrolled studies
The frequency of the majority of reported persistent symptoms was similar in SARS-CoV-2
positive cases and controls. This systematic review and meta-analysis highlights the
critical importance of a control group in studi7777es on CYP post SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Inoculum at the time of SARS-CoV-2 exposure and risk of disease severity
A relationship between the infecting dose and the risk of disease severity has not been demonstrated for SARS-CoV-2 infection. Here, we report three clusters of individuals that were potentially exposed to distinct inoculum in Madrid. Overall each group ...
Eurosurveillance | Outbreak caused by the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant in Norway, November to December 2021
In late November 2021, an outbreak of Omicron SARS-CoV-2 following a Christmas party with 117 attendees was detected in Oslo, Norway. We observed an attack rate of 74% and most cases developed symptoms. As at 13 December, none have been hospitalised. Most participants were 30–50 years old. Ninety-six percent of them were fully vaccinated. These findings corroborate reports that the Omicron variant may be more transmissible, and that vaccination may be less effective in preventing infection compared with Delta.
Virology, transmission, and pathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2
### What you need to know
Since the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 in December 2019, there has been an unparalleled global effort to characterise the virus and the clinical course of disease. Coronavirus disease 2019 (covid-19), caused by SARS-CoV-2, follows a biphasic pattern of illness that likely results from the combination of an early viral response phase and an inflammatory second phase. Most clinical presentations are mild, and the typical pattern of covid-19 more resembles an influenza-like illness—which includes fever, cough, malaise, myalgia, headache, and taste and smell disturbance—rather than severe pneumonia (although emerging evidence about long term consequences is yet to be understood in detail).1 In this review, we provide a broad update on the emerging understanding of SARS-CoV-2 pathophysiology, including virology, transmission dynamics, and the immune response to the virus. Any of the …
The recently emerged SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant harbors 37 amino acid substitutions in the spike (S) protein, 15 of which are in the receptor-binding domain (RBD), thereby raising concerns about the effectiveness of available vaccines and antibody therapeutics. Here, we show that the Omicron RBD binds to human ACE2 with enhanced affinity relative to the Wuhan-Hu-1 RBD and acquires binding to mouse ACE2. Severe reductions of plasma neutralizing activity were observed against Omicron compared to the ancestral pseudovirus for vaccinated and convalescent individuals. Most (26 out of 29) receptor-binding motif (RBM)-directed monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) lost in vitro neutralizing activity against Omicron, with only three mAbs, including the ACE2-mimicking S2K146 mAb[1][1], retaining unaltered potency. Furthermore, a fraction of broadly neutralizing sarbecovirus mAbs recognizing antigenic sites outside the RBM, including sotrovimab[2][2], S2X259[3][3] and S2H97[4][4], neutralized Omicron. The magnitude of Omicron-mediated immune evasion and the acquisition of binding to mouse ACE2 mark a major SARS-CoV-2 mutational shift. Broadly neutralizing sarbecovirus mAbs recognizing epitopes conserved among SARS-CoV-2 variants and other sarbecoviruses may prove key to controlling the ongoing pandemic and future zoonotic spillovers.
### Competing Interest Statement
E.C., K.C., C.S., D.P., F.Z., A.D.M., A.L., L.P., M.S.P., D.C., H.K., J.N., N.F., J.diI., L.E.R., N.C., C.H.D., K.R.S., J.R.D., A.E.P., A.C., C.M., L.Y., D.S., L.S., L.A.P., C.H., A.T., H.W.V. and G.S. are employees of Vir Biotechnology Inc. and may hold shares in Vir Biotechnology Inc. L.A.P. is a former employee and shareholder in Regeneron Pharmaceuticals. Regeneron provided no funding for this work. The Veesler laboratory has received a sponsored research agreement from Vir Biotechnology Inc. HYC reported consulting with Ellume, Pfizer, The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Glaxo Smith Kline, and Merck. She has received research funding from Emergent Ventures, Gates Ventures, Sanofi Pasteur, The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and support and reagents from Ellume and Cepheid outside of the submitted work. The remaining authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.
[1]: #ref-1
[2]: #ref-2
[3]: #ref-3
[4]: #ref-4
'Like drinking from a fire hose': Health care workers traumatized by pandemic
Hospitals are struggling to hold on to nurses and other professionals, staff are traumatized and the influx of patients feels like it's coming out of a fire hose, doctors say.
Doch, es gibt Daten zum Impfstatus von Covid-19-Intensivpatienten
Boris Reitschuster behauptet, es sei „Betrug“, wenn die Bundesregierung sage, ein Großteil der Covid-19-Patienten auf Intensivstationen sei ungeimpft. Das ist irreführend.
Ergebnisse aus dem wiederholten querschnittlichen Monitoring von Wissen, Risikowahrnehmung, Schutzverhalten und Vertrauen während des aktuellen COVID-19 Ausbruchsgeschehens
Ein Gemeinschaftsprojekt von Universität Erfurt, Robert Koch Institut, Bundeszentrale für gesundheitliche Aufklärung, Leibniz-Institut für Psychologie, Science Media Center, Bernhard Nocht Institut für Tropenmedizin und Yale Institute for Global Health