scholarly journals Cytokine and Chemokine Levels in COVID-19 Convalescent Plasma

Author(s):  
Tania S Bonny ◽  
Eshan U Patel ◽  
Xianming Zhu ◽  
Evan M Bloch ◽  
M Kate Grabowski ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The efficacy of COVID-19 convalescent plasma (CCP) is primarily ascribed as a source of neutralizing anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. However, the composition of other immune components in CCP and their potential roles remain largely unexplored. This study aimed to describe the composition and concentrations of plasma cytokines and chemokines in eligible CCP donors. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among 20 pre-pandemic healthy blood donors without SARS-CoV-2 infection and 140 eligible CCP donors with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection. Electrochemiluminescence detection based multiplexed sandwich immunoassays were used to quantify plasma cytokine and chemokine concentrations (n=35 analytes). A SARS-CoV-2 microneutralization assay was also performed. Differences in the percent detection and distribution of cytokine and chemokine concentrations were examined by categorical groups using Fisher’s exact and Wilcoxon rank-sum tests, respectively. Results Among CCP donors (n=140), the median time since molecular diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 was 44 days(interquartile range=38-50) and 9%(n=12) were hospitalized due to COVID-19. Compared to healthy blood donor controls, CCP donors had significantly higher plasma levels of IFN-γ, IL-10, IL-15, IL-21 and MCP-1, but lower levels of IL-1RA, IL-8, IL-16, and VEGF-A(P<0.0014). Significant differences were also observed in plasma levels of IL-8, IL-15 and IP-10 between CCP donors with low(<40) vs. high(≥160) anti-SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibody titers(P<0.0014). The median levels of IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α, IL-12/IL23p40, MDC were significantly higher among CCP donors who were hospitalized vs. non-hospitalized(P<0.05). Conclusion Heterogeneity in cytokine and chemokine composition of CCP suggests there is a different inflammatory state among the CCP donors as compared to SARS-CoV-2 naïve, healthy blood donors.

2021 ◽  
Vol 71 (6) ◽  
pp. 2024-28
Author(s):  
Muhammad Farooq ◽  
Muhammad Fayyaz Malik ◽  
Ashfaq Hussain ◽  
Majid Latif ◽  
Muhammad Usman Rathore ◽  
...  

Objective: To ascertain the immunogenicity and short-term safety of inactivated SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine (Vero Cell), BBIBPCorV (Sinopharm) in our setup. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: Combined Military Hospital Sialkot Pakistan, from Feb to Apr 2021. Methodology: A total of 227 health care workers (HCWs) between 18 to 59 years of age were included in the study. Two doses of Inactivated SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine (Vero Cell), BBIBP-CorV were administered to all individuals 21 days apart and they were monitored for any vaccine-related adverse reactions for 7 days after each dose. Neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) in study subjects were detected in three samples i.e. before 1st dose of vaccine, 21 days after 1st dose and 14 days after 2nd dose by Elecsys Anti- SARS-CoV-2 S (Roche Diagnostics). Results: Mean age of individuals in the study was 36.70 ± 18.08 years and most individuals were in the 31-45 years age group. Fatigue and drowsiness were the most common adverse effects experienced by study subjects after 1st and 2nd dose of the vaccine followed by malaise and headache. Only 42 (39%) individuals developed positive neutralizing antibody titers in a sample taken 21 days after 1st dose while all individuals except one (99%) developed positive neutralizing antibody titers in a sample taken 2 weeks after 2nd vaccine dose. Conclusion: Inactivated SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine (Vero Cell), BBIBP-CorV is safe and well-tolerated with very few adverse reactions. Immunogenicity was well achieved as the seroconversion rate was 99% two weeks after 2nd dose of the vaccine.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marisa Boff Costa ◽  
Michele Soares Gomes Gouvêa ◽  
Samira Chuffi ◽  
Gustavo Hirata Dellavia ◽  
Felipe Ornel ◽  
...  

AbstractThe prevalence of anti-hepatitis E virus (HEV) antibodies has a high heterogeneity worldwide. South American data are still scarce. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of HEV in populations at risk in comparison to blood donors (BD). A cross-sectional study was carried out in adults of different risk populations including crack users (CK), residents in a low income area (LIA), cirrhotic (CIR) and liver transplant patients (LT) compared with BD. The WANTAI HEV ELISA test was used and real-time PCR (in-house for screening and ALTONA as confirmatory test) for HEV RNA screening. A total of 400 participants were included. Anti-HEV IgG was positive in 19.5% of the total sample, reaching the highest rate in the CIR group, 22.5%, followed by CK, LT, and LIA (20%, 18.7%, and 17.5%, respectively). The prevalence found in BD individuals was of 18.7% (p = NS). Anti-HEV IgM was positive in only 1.5% of the sample (6/400). No blood or stools samples were positive for HEV RNA. The seroprevalence reported is among the highest rates ever found in Brazil. Considering the intense diagnostic investigation, data show that HEV circulation is more common that might be expected in our country.


2013 ◽  
Vol 53 (3) ◽  
pp. 160
Author(s):  
Hartono Gunardi ◽  
Adra Firmansyah ◽  
Sri Rezeki S Harun ◽  
Sudigdo Sastroasmoro

Backgi-ound Hepatitis B (HB) has been classified as moderate-tohighlyendemic in Indonesia. HB vaccination, the most effectivemethod to prevent HB viral transmission, induces protectiveantibodies against HB surface antigen (anti-HBs). However, theseantibodies decline in titer over time. Studies on the duration ofprotection and the prevalence of n on-responders in Indonesianadolescents have been limited.Objectives To determine anti-HBs titers in 15-17-year oldIndonesian adolescents given primary HB vaccine during infancyand the prevalence of non-responders after a HB vaccine boosterdosage.Methods This cross-sectional study was performed from Februaryto September 2008 on adolescents aged 15-17 years in threesenior high schools in Jakarta who received complete primary HBvaccines during infancy, based on parents' recall. Investigationsincluded HB vaccination history, anthropometric measurements,and blood tests for anti-HBs before and 4-6 weeks after a boosterdose ofHB vaccine.Results Of 94 subjects, 35 had protective anti-HBs and 59 hadundetectable anti-HBs. A booster dose was administered to 5 8 of then on-protected subjects, of which 33 showed anamnestic responses.However, 25 subjects failed to generate protective anti-HBs. Takinginto consideration the adolescents with protective anti-HBs beforeand after the booster dose, serologic protection was demonstratedin 73%. Non-responder prevalence was 27%. The high prevalenceof non-responders may indicate bias of parents' recall.Conclusion Protective anti-HBs is detected in less than half ofIndonesian adolescents given primary HB vaccine during infancy.Following booster dosage, anamnestic responses are n oted in onethirdof subjects. The prevalence of non-responders is 27%, butconfirmation with further study is needed.


2018 ◽  
Vol 27 (4) ◽  
pp. 250-5
Author(s):  
Sultan A.M. Saghir ◽  
Amer A. Almaiman ◽  
Aishah K.A. Shatar ◽  
Norris Naim ◽  
Huda S. Baqir

Background: The fast and outpatient setting for a determination of the hemoglobin (Hb) level is a well-recognized prerequisite to detect anemia in blood donors. This study aimed to evaluate the performance of the HemoCue methods (HemoCue B-Hb and HemoCue-301) against Coulter LH-750 as a reference method for Hb determination.Methods: This study was an experimental cross-sectional study. It includes 455 blood samples that were collected from volunteer blood donors between January 15, 2010 and February 15, 2011. The performance of the three methods and their comparisons were assessed using the analysis of coefficients of variation (CV), linear regression, and mean difference. Correlation coefficient and Bland–Altman plots were drawn to compare the two HemoCue measurements and the automated cell analyzer against each other and to evaluate their results. The Hb concentrations were compared using the concordance correlation coefficient.Results: The findings exhibited that the CV for the three methods Coulter LH-750, HemoCue B-Hb, and HemoCue-301 were 0.60%, 0.72%, and 0.92%, respectively. A statistically significant difference was observed between the means of the Hb measurements for the three methods (p<0.001). The HemoCue B-Hb and HemoCue-301 methods showed the best agreement, and the Coulter LH-750 method gave a lower Hb value compared with the two HemoCue methods. The results showed a positive correlation of HemoCue Hb results compared with the reference method.Conclusion: All three methods provide a good agreement for Hb determination. The new device HemoCue-301 was found to be more accurate compared with HemoCue B-Hb and Coulter LH-750.


Medicina ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 58 (1) ◽  
pp. 128
Author(s):  
Radu Pavel ◽  
Sorin Ursoniu ◽  
Ana Alexandra Paduraru ◽  
Rodica Lighezan ◽  
Maria Alina Lupu ◽  
...  

Background and Objectives: Trichinellosis, a serious and sometimes fatal human disease, is a foodborne zoonotic disease with worldwide distribution caused by parasitic nematodes of the genus Trichinella. Humans are infected with Trichinella larvae through the ingestion of meat that has not been properly cooked. Romania reported most of the confirmed cases of trichinellosis among the EU countries. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to evaluate, for the first time, the seroprevalence and risk factors of Trichinella infection in blood donors from Western Romania. Materials and Methods: Serum samples of 1347 consecutive blood donors were investigated using an immunoenzymaticassay (ELISA) for the determination of specific IgG class antibodies against T.spiralis. A questionnaire interview was used to obtain information regarding the potential risk factors associated with T. spiralis infection. Mantel–Haenszel chi-squared test or the Fisher exact two-tailed test, as appropriate, were used for comparison between T. spiralis positive and T. spiralis negative blood donors. Student’s t-test was used to evaluate differences between means in studied groups and body mass index was calculated by dividing weight in kilograms by height in meters squared. Statistical analysis was performed using Epi Info Version 7.2 and Stata 16.1. Results: T. spiralis IgG antibodies were detected in 2.00% (27) of 1347 consecutive blood donors. Eating raw and/or undercooked meat, from pigs or wild boars, was found to be the main risk factor (p < 0.001). Strong alcoholic drink consumption was highly associated with T. spiralis infection (p = 0.009). Trichinella seroprevalence was higher among rural residents and males. Subjects identified as Trichinella seropositive were not previously diagnosed and have not been treated for Trichinella infection with any specific therapy. Conclusions: The demonstration of T. spiralis antibodies in healthy blood donors suggests that Trichinella infection may be detected in asymptomatic individuals that were not previously diagnosed with this zoonosis.


Author(s):  
Harold Rumopa ◽  
Freddy W. Wagey ◽  
Eddy Suparman

  Objective: Determine differences plasma levels MDA in preeclampsiabefore and 2 hours after delivery.   Methods: This was an analytic cross-sectional study. Subjectconsists of 23 pregnancies with preeclampsia, where 23 bloodsamples taken before delivery and 23 were taken 2 hours afterdelivery. This study was conducted from August 2016 untilDecember 2016 at Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyFaculty of Medicine Universitas Sam Ratulangi / Prof. Dr. R. D.Kandou Hospital Manado and satellite hospital. Samples weretaken from plasma and analysed using HPLC method at Prodiaclinical laboratory.   Results: In patients with severe preeclampsia before deliverywe found average value (1.4796  0.40819 nmol/ml), minimumvalue (1.03 nmol/ml) and maximal value (2.77 nmol/ml)and 2 hours after delivery with average value (1.2470 0.34324 nmol/ml), minimum value (0.91 nmol/ml), and maximumvalue (2.47 nmol/ml). by using Wilcoxon test, we foundthere were significant differences in plasma levels of MDA (p =0.000).   Conclusion: This significant difference suggests that decreasedplasma levels of MDA 2 hours after delivery and gives the sense thatthere is a relationship between oxidative stress of cells with severepreeclampsia before and shortly after delivery, that MDA is an indicatorof oxidative stress.   Keywords: malondialdehyde, oxidative stress, peroxidation lipid,preeclampsia


2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (10) ◽  
pp. 460 ◽  
Author(s):  
Capai ◽  
Masse ◽  
Gallian ◽  
Souty ◽  
Isnard ◽  
...  

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a major cause of acute hepatitis worldwide. In France, hyperendemic areas including Corsica have an anti-HEV Immunoglobulin G (IgG) prevalence higher than 50%. The aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of anti-HEV IgG in three adult populations in Corsica and the risk factors associated with antibody detection. Between 2017 and 2019, a total of 930 individuals, including 467 blood donors, 393 students or university staff members and 70 patients from general practice, were tested for the presence of anti-HEV IgG using the Wantai HEV IgG enzyme immunoassay kit and filled a questionnaire. The association between seropositivity and potential risk factors was tested with univariate and multivariate analyses. Out of the 930 samples, 52.3% (486/930) were seropositive—54.4% (254/467) among blood donors, 47.6% (187/393) among university students and 64.3% (45/70) among patients of general practice. Three main risk factors were identified: (i) skinning and butchering (Adjusted Odds Ratio aOR = 2.76, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] [1.51–5.37]; p-value < 10−3), (ii) consumption of a local pork live raw sausage (fittonu) (aOR = 1.95 95% CI [1.45–2.64]; p-value = 10−5), and (iii) increasing age (p-value = 0.003). Seropositivity rates between the different populations were homogeneous after age stratification. This cross-sectional study indicates a high anti-HEV IgG seroprevalence in the Corsican adult population, not significantly different between women and men and increasing with age. This serosurvey also showed homogeneity regarding the exposure to HEV among three different types of populations. Finally, we confirmed the endemicity of Corsica with respect to HEV and identified a strong association between consumption of figatellu/fittonu and the practice of skinning and butchering with the detection of anti-HEV IgG.


Proceedings ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 50 (1) ◽  
pp. 39
Author(s):  
Shirley Masse ◽  
Nazli Ayhan ◽  
Lisandru Capai ◽  
Rémi Charrel ◽  
Alessandra Falchi

Sandfly-borne phleboviruses pathogenic to humans, such as Toscana virus (TOSV) and sandfly fever Sicilian virus (SFSV), are endemic in the Mediterranean region. In France, several autochthonous cases of TOSV infection have been described which cause either meningitis or encephalitis. The aim of the present study was to estimate the seroprevalence of TOSV and SFSV antibodies in a healthy population from Corsica. In this cross-sectional study, participants were enrolled from the medical staff at University of Corsica Pasquale Paoli (UCPP) and from general practitioners of the Corsican Sentinelles Network. The seroprevalence study was based on virus microneutralization (MN). A total of 240 patients were tested for TOSV and SFSV. Altogether, 54 serum samples were confirmed for TOSV infection (seroprevalence = 22.5%). None of the samples were positive for SFSV (0/240). The main place of residence was significantly associated with TOSV seropositivity (p-value = 0.005). The overall rate of TOSV antibody seroprevalence observed in our study suggests a more intense circulation of TOSV in Corsica, with a rate significantly higher than the 8.7% reported in Corsica in 2007 from blood donors. The absence of seropositivity to SFSV seems to confirm the low circulation of this virus in Corsica and in continental France. The increasing circulation of TOSV reported here should encourage the implementation of surveillance systems to control phlebovirus infection.


Author(s):  
Ramzi Shawahna ◽  
Mais Khaskiyyi ◽  
Hadeel Abdo ◽  
Yasmen Msarwe ◽  
Rania Odeh ◽  
...  

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess the knowledge of pharmacists practicing in Palestine of issues related to using psychotropic medications in older people. Methods: The study was conducted with a cross-sectional observational design using a questionnaire. A total of 400 pharmacists responded to a 19-statement knowledge test related to the use of psychotropic medications in older people. The study was conducted from July 2016 to February 2017. The reliability and internal consistency of the study tool was assessed using the test-retest method and the Cronbach alpha. Categorical groups were compared using the chi-square test and the Spearman rank correlation. Results: On the 19-statement knowledge test, the median score was 55.3% with an interquartile range of 21.9%. In a comparison of the demographic and practice-related variables of the pharmacists who scored ≥ 50% on the 19-statement knowledge test with those who scored < 50%, age, gender, and having taken a course on psychotropic medications were found to be significantly associated with performance, as shown by the chi-square test and Spearman correlation. Conclusion: Pharmacists practicing in Palestine possess less than optimal knowledge of issues related to the use of psychotropic medications in older people. Continuing educational interventions and/or training might be helpful in improving pharmacists’ knowledge of issues related to using psychotropic medications in older people.


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