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Delving into revolutionary SARS-CoV-2 vaccine approaches: Molecular and virological examinations; principles of SARS-CoV-2 vaccine platform

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious illness caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). It emerged in 2019 and quickly became a global pandemic, resulting in numerous deaths worldwide. Despite the devastating impact of SARS-CoV-2 on human life, it also spurred the development of advanced vaccine platforms. Within a remarkably short time frame, 11 vaccines have been approved for human use, marking a significant historical achievement. These include mRNA, whole inactivated, recombinant protein, and adenoviral vector platforms. Notably, these new-generation vaccine platforms represent a departure from previously utilized methods and form the backbone of SARS-CoV-2 preventive strategies. In order to enhance the efficacy of vaccines, it is crucial to have a comprehensive understanding of their underlying virological and immunological characteristics. The recent emergence of variant strains, particularly the Omicron variant, has raised doubts regarding the effectiveness of current vaccines and emphasized the need for a universal platform for future vaccinations.This review focuses on discussing various vaccine platforms based on their molecular design, their ability to stimulate the immune system, safety concerns, potential efficacy against viral variants, and prospects for the future.

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The prevalence of post-COVID-19 vaccination syndrome and quality of life among COVID-19-vaccinated individuals

BackgroundThere were many studies conducted to determine how immunization affects people with long-term COVID. The results of those studies have caused debate as they gave rise to varying outcomes. Some evidence indicates a change in, an improvement in, a continuation of, or even a worsening of long-term COVID symptoms following vaccination. The ratio of change in antibody titers was noticeably larger in the group of people whose illnesses became worse. Hence, this study aimed to explore potential post-COVID-19 vaccination syndrome (PCVS) in vaccinated individuals and also to assess their quality of life (QoL). MethodologyBetween September 2021 and May 2023, an ambidirectional, descriptive, follow-up cohort study was conducted, enrolling participants who were 18 years of age or older, met the vaccination requirements established by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, and had completed the primary immunization series with the AZD1222® or BBV152® vaccine. The prevalence of PCVS and the QoL measured using EQ-5D-5L were assessed at 1 month, 6 months, and 12 months post-COVID-19 vaccination. ResultsAZD1222® vaccine was received by 84.28% (343) of the participants, and BBV152® vaccine was received by 15.72% (64) of the study participants. A month after the primary vaccination series, 52.8% (215) of the total participants had at least 1 PCVS, 39.8% (162) at 6 months, and 64.6% (263) at 12 months. Among those who had received vaccinations, the QoL increased at 6 months to 0.975±0.08 and declined at 12 months to 0.94±0.13 from 0.949±0.13 at 1 month after receiving a primary immunization. The overall prevalence of PCVS between AZD1222®-vaccinated individuals and BBV152®-vaccinated individuals at a month post-vaccination was 54.5% vs. 43.8%, at 6 months it was 41.1% vs. 32.8%, and at 12 months it was 65.59% vs. 59.4%. The QoL between AZD1222®-vaccinated individuals and BBV152®-vaccinated individuals at a month post-vaccination was 0.95±0.13 vs. 0.95±0.126, at 6 months it was 0.98±0.08 vs. 0.97±0.07, and at 12 months it was 0.94±0.12 vs. 0.92±0.20. However, there was no statistically significant difference in the prevalence of PCVS and QoL between AZD1222® and BBV152®-vaccinated individuals.The percentage of participants who had at least one PCVS was 83.9% (146) in the group that got booster doses and 50.2% (117) in the group that did not. The QoL was 0.9±0.15 in the group receiving booster dosages and 0.96±0.11 in the group not receiving them. There was a statistically significant difference in the prevalence of PCVS and QoL between booster dose recipients and no booster dose recipients. ConclusionIn the study, we observed the prevalence of PCVS and was similar to long-term COVID; it declined over time and increased following booster immunization. Contrary to PCVS prevalence, QoL rises with time and falls after booster doses. There is no difference in the prevalence of PCVS and the quality of life among AZD1222® and BBV152®.

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Effectiveness of the vaccine (Covaxin®) on different age groups of people: A pilot study

BackgroundCovaxin® is a COVID-19 vaccine created and produced by Bharat Biotech in India. The vaccine is based on the strain of SARS-CoV-2 that was first identified in India and has undergone Phase III clinical trials. Covaxin® has been authorized for emergency use in India and has been distributed as part of India's vaccination campaign. The vaccine has been shown to be effective in preventing COVID-19 infection and hospitalization, but additional studies are needed to determine its efficacy as well as safety in the long term. MethodsThe antibody titer against Covaxin® was detected through indirect ELISA immunoassay. Optimization was performed on 500 samples to get an idea and work further on a larger number of samples. ResultsThe vaccine had the best immune response in individuals between the ages of 21 and 30 and the least response in those between 61 and 70. This was attributed to the phenomenon of immunosenescence, which explains the weakening of the immune system with age. Additionally, the study found that the equine anti-CoV-19 serum had a higher binding affinity with Covaxin®, highlighting the effectiveness of horse Ig against COVID-19 antigens. ConclusionsThe study concluded that Covaxin® was effective in generating an immune response in individuals after 2 doses of vaccination; however, the generated immune response decreased with the time of vaccine administration and the age of the vaccinated. The study also showed that the ELISA technique used in this research is an efficient and sensitive method to evaluate vaccine efficiency and can be applied to a larger number of samples for further comparative analysis.

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Assessment of lymphocytosis among pertussis patients in Northwest Ethiopia

BackgroundPertussis is a severe and prolonged coughing disease caused by Bordetella pertussis. In 2014, 24.1 million pertussis cases and 160 700 deaths were estimated worldwide in children less than 5 years old. Infection with B. pertussis is frequently characterized by a significant rise in the number of circulating lymphocytes. Thus, the objective of this study was to assess lymphocytosis among pertussis patients in Northwest Ethiopia. MethodsAn institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted among pertussis patients who met the clinical case definition for pertussis. The study was conducted from July 2018 through February 2019 and nasopharyngeal swabs were collected from 321 participants, and samples were analyzed using real-time PCR (RT-PCR). Blood specimens were collected from 321 study participants and total lymphocyte count was conducted using hematology analyzer. ResultsA total of 109 participants were positive for Bordetella species. Lymphocytosis was found in 15/109 (13.8%) of the PCR confirmed pertussis patients. Of those 15 PCR confirmed participants with lymphocytosis, 8/15 (53.3%) had lymphocytosis grading ‘high’ (≥2.81/μL) followed by 3/15 (20.0%) ‘moderately high’ (≥4.0/μL), and 4/15 (26.7%) had ‘very high’ (≥6.0/μL). Among PCR confirmed pertussis participants with lymphocytosis, 11/15 (73.3%) were less than 1 year old. ConclusionsDespite other co-infections can cause lymphocytosis, this study showed that lymphocyte count could be used to rule out pertussis. Thus, in combination with other specific laboratory tests, lymphocyte count in pertussis suspected patients is recommended.

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Exploring the intention and hesitancy to receive a booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine among patients with comorbid disease conditions using a health belief model

BackgroundDespite the fact that the WHO recommends that adults over the age of 18 have to receive a booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. The willingness and intention to accept a booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine remain major issues among the general population, particularly patients with comorbid disease conditions. The aim of this study was to assess the patterns regarding COVID-19 infection and vaccination, along with the intention and hesitancy to receive a booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine among patients with comorbid disease conditions in Istanbul, Türkiye. MethodsThis was a descriptive, cross-sectional study conducted among patients with comorbid disease conditions using a three-part, structured, validated questionnaire. Vaccine hesitancy from a booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine was assessed using the Health Belief Model (HBM), based on a 5-point Likert-type scale. ResultsThe study enrolled 162 participants with a mean age of 57.2 ± 13.3 years. 97% of the respondents received the COVID-19 vaccine. Almost half of respondents (51.2%) reported receiving information about a booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. HBM among the participants with comorbidities showed a significant agreement regarding the perceived susceptibility (P < 0.0001), perceived severity (P < 0.0001) and perceived benefits (P < 0.0001) to receive a booster vaccine dose. There was a statistically significant correlation between the intention to receive a booster vaccine dose and education level (university education; P < 0.0001). ConclusionA vast and significant majority of patients with chronic comorbid disease conditions who received the COVID-19 vaccine reported an intention to receive a booster dose.

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