IgG Seropositivity Research Articles

Pertussis seroprevalence and related factors in 15-49 years old women in Mersin, Turkey

Abstract Background Pertussis is an acute, contagious respiratory disease with high mortality and morbidity, especially in early infancy. If the mother is immune to pertussis, infants too young to be vaccinated are protected against pertussis infection after birth by maternal immunity. This study aimed to investigate pertussis seroprevalence and associated factors in women aged 15-49 years. Methods The cross-sectional study was conducted on women aged 15-49 years in Mersin city between December 2023 and February 2024. A total of 352 women from family health centres in four central districts of Mersin were included in the study. In this study, anti PT-IgG levels in blood samples were investigated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay ELISA method. In the analysis of the data, descriptive statistics, chi-square analysis, and binary logistic regression analysis were used. The results were presented at a 95% confidence interval, at a significance level of p < 0.05. Results Anti-PT IgG seropositivity was detected in 150 (%42.6) of the women. In seven (2%) of women, the anti-PT IgG value was greater than 100, indicating an acute infection. Individuals who did not receive or could not recall having received school vaccinations were found to be 2.18 times more likely to be seropositive than those who had received vaccinations at school. Individuals residing in the same household with a healthcare professional were found to be 1.78 times more likely to be seropositive than those who did not. Conclusions Half of our region’s newborns lack protection from whooping cough. Maternal immunization with pertussis-containing vaccines is crucial. Many countries have safely used such vaccines for years. Replacing Td with Tdap in Turkey’s pregnancy immunization can better shield mothers and newborns from pertussis. Key messages • Maternal immunization is crucial for protecting newborns from pertussis, reducing mortality and morbidity. • Addressing vaccination disparities is vital to ensure community-wide protection against pertussis, saving lives.

Ebola Virus-Specific Neutralizing Antibody Persists at High Levels in Survivors 2 Years After Resolution of Disease in a Sierra Leonean Cohort.

Ebola virus (EBOV) infection results in Ebola virus disease (EVD), an often severe disease with a nonspecific presentation. Since its recognition, periodic outbreaks of EVD continue to occur in sub-Saharan Africa. The 2013-2016 West African EVD outbreak was the largest recorded, resulting in a substantial cohort of EVD survivors with persistent health complaints and variable immune responses. In this study, we characterize humoral immune responses in EVD survivors and their contacts in Eastern Sierra Leone. We found high levels of EBOV IgG in EVD survivors and lower yet substantial antibody levels in household contacts, suggesting subclinical transmission. Neutralizing antibody function was prevalent but variable in EVD survivors, raising questions about the durability of immune responses from natural infection with EBOV. Additionally, we found that certain discrete symptoms-ophthalmologic and auditory-are associated with EBOV IgG seropositivity, while an array of symptoms are associated with the presence of neutralizing antibody.

Investigation of Seropositivity of Anti-Toxoplasma gondii Antibodies and Possible Risk Factors in Pregnant Women with Diabetes at Risk.

Toxoplasmosis is a parasitic infection caused by Toxoplasma gondii. Immunocompromised individuals and pregnant women are at risk, with the latter group being susceptible to miscarriages. This study aimed to determine the seropositivity of T. gondii antibodies and potential risk factors in pregnant women diagnosed with diabetes mellitus. The research was conducted at the Ankara City Hospital Perinatology Clinic between October 2021 and June 2022. The study included 277 pregnant women diagnosed with diabetes mellitus and 277 healthy pregnant women who had given birth. Retrospective analysis of anti-T. gondii immunoglobulin (Ig)G and IgM levels was performed for patients between January 2020 and February 2022. Participants were administered an informed consent form and a questionnaire. Data were analysed using SPSS 22. Among pregnant women with diabetes, IgG seropositivity was 18.4%, IgM was 0.0%, and IgG+IgM was 0.0%. In healthy pregnant women, IgG seropositivity was 12.3%, IgM was 0.4%, and IgG+IgM was 0.4%. Overall, seropositivity rates were 15.3% for IgG, 0.2% for IgM, and 0.2% for IgG+IgM. The difference between the two groups was statistically significant (p<0.05). Among pregnant women with diabetes, there was a significant statistical difference (p<0.05) in anti-T. gondii IgG seropositivity related to education, employment status, number of pregnancies and live births, history of toxoplasmosis diagnosis in children, previous toxoplasmosis diagnosis, hygiene, nutrition, and social habits. Among healthy pregnant women, significant statistical differences were found (p<0.05) in IgG seropositivity related to age, income, education level, number of pregnancies and live births, previous toxoplasmosis diagnosis, hygiene, nutrition, and social habits. No invasive interventions were performed on infants born to seropositive mothers, and perinatal data were not available. The seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis in Ankara appears to be decreasing, but T. gondii infections continue to pose a public health concern and are significant in pregnant women with diabetes mellitus.

A-258 Hepatitis A infections among patients suspected of acute hepatitis attended in Brazilian health services

Abstract Background Millions of people worldwide are infected with Hepatitis A Virus (HAV) annually - the leading widely spread causes of acute viral hepatitis in developing countries across all continents. Objective To evaluate the prevalence of anti-HAV antibodies; to determine HAV genotypes by nucleotide sequencing in patients suspected of acute hepatitis at public healthcare institutions; and to assess the association between this infection with age, gender, region, and other risk factors Methods Between October 2019 and May 2023, we analyzed 1,562 patients with more than 18 years old with clinical suspected acute hepatitis. Results Out of the 1,562 individuals, 1,244 were seropositive for Anti-HAV IgG, a median age of 45 years (IQR: 35 to 56) vs. 31 years (IQR: 25 to 39) in non-reactive individuals (p&amp;lt;0.001). A higher seropositivity was found in men compared to women (p=0.002). North region showed the highest seropositivity (p&amp;lt;0.001). There was also an association between poor sanitation conditions and seropositivity, such as lack of sewage collection and consumption of untreated water (p&amp;lt;0.001), as well as an association between heterosexual orientation and higher likelihood of seropositivity (p=0.015). In the logistic regression analysis for anti-HAV IgG seropositivity, age and male sex were significantly associated with seropositivity (OR = 1.09, 95% CI: 1.08 to 1.11, p&amp;lt;0.001; OR = 1.56, 95% CI: 1.16 to 2.11, p=0.004). North region showed a significant increase in the odds for seropositivity compared to all other regions. For anti-HAV IgM, out of the 1,562 individuals, 97 were seropositive, significantly higher in younger individuals [median age of 34 years (IQR: 28 to 40) vs. 42 years (IQR: 32 to 54) in non-reactive individuals (p&amp;lt;0.001)] and in males (p&amp;lt;0.001). South and Southeast regions had higher seropositivity (p&amp;lt;0.001). Non-heterosexual orientation and more than 2 sexual partners significantly correlated with seropositivity (p&amp;lt;0.001). In the logistic regression analysis for anti-HAV IgM, age showed an inverse association with seropositivity (OR = 0.96, 95% CI: 0.94 to 0.98, p&amp;lt;0.001), being more frequent in men (OR = 1.86, 95% CI: 1.11 to 3.21, p=0.021). Consumption of seafood was significantly associated with increased odds of seropositivity for anti-HAV IgM (OR = 2.26, 95% CI: 1.43 to 3.56, p&amp;lt;0.001). South and Southeast regions showed more IgM positive cases than North, Northeast and Midwest regions. Among the 1,562 cases, 35 complete (or almost complete) HAV genomes were successfully recovered from metagenomics sequencing data. These genomes range from 6,625 to 7,462 bp in length (89-100% completeness), sequences were fairly similar in pairwise nucleotide alignment, classified as genotype I.A, and displaying identities ranging from 94.7 to 99.7%. Conclusions Hepatitis A infection was found among 6.2% acute hepatitis cases attended in public services in Brazil while previous infections or vaccinated patients were found in 78.9% patients. While anti-HAV IgG positive patients where most frequent in the North region of Brazil, acute hepatitis A (IgM-positive) were more frequent in South and Southeast regions. Our results reinforce the need to implement vaccination against hepatitis A among individuals with more than 18 years in our country.

Effect of the Antibody-mediated Immune Responses on COPD, Asthma, and Lung Function: A Mendelian Randomization Study

IntroductionThe precise cause of antibody-mediated immune responses on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, and lung function remains unclear. We characterized the relationship between antibody-mediated immune responses to COPD, asthma, and lung function, ultimately achieve the prevention or treatment. MethodsWe obtained summary data from published genome-wide association studies, including antibody-mediated immune responses, COPD, asthma, forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1), forced expiratory volume (FVC), and FEV1/FVC. Bidirectional two-sample mendelian randomization (MR) analysis was used to assess causal relationships of antibody-mediated immune responses, COPD, asthma, FEV1, FVC, and FEV1/FVC. ResultsA total of 20 antibody-mediated immune responses were identified have a significant causal effect on COPD, asthma, FEV1, and FVC, with six exhibiting reverse causality. Importantly, the results of the five MR analyses were almost identical with respect to the causal effect of anti-polyomavirus 2 IgG seropositivity and varicella zoster virus glycoprotein E and I antibody levels on the risk of COPD, asthma, FEV1, and FVC. ConclusionsThis study contributes to existing knowledge by investigating the causal relationship between antibody-mediated immune responses and respiratory conditions, including COPD, asthma, and lung function, using a two-sample MR design. The key findings can aid in identifying individuals at risk of these conditions and facilitate early prevention and diagnosis.

Favourable humoral but reduced cellular immune response to COVID-19 mRNA BNT162b2 vaccine in patients with childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus

ObjectiveTo evaluate both humoral and cellular immune responses to the COVID-19 messenger RNA (mRNA; BNT162b2) vaccine in patients with childhood-onset SLE (cSLE) compared with healthy controls and patient controls (kidney...

Toxoplasma gondii IgG serointensity and cognitive function in bipolar disorder

BackgroundAlongside affective episodes, cognitive dysfunction is a core symptom of bipolar disorder. The intracellular parasite T. gondii has been positively associated with both, the diagnosis of bipolar disorder and poorer cognitive performance, across diagnostic boundaries. This study aims to investigate the association between T. gondii seropositivity, serointensity, and cognitive function in an euthymic sample of bipolar disorder.MethodsA total of 76 participants with bipolar disorder in remission were tested for T. gondii-specific IgG and IgM antibodies and for cognitive performance using neuropsychological test battery. Cognitive parameters were categorized into three cognitive domains (attention and processing speed, verbal memory, and executive function). Statistical analysis of associations between continuous indicators of cognitive function as dependent variables in relationship to T. gondii, included multivariate analyses of co-variance for seropositivity, and partial correlations with IgG serointensity in IgG seropositives. All analyses were controlled for age and premorbid IQ.ResultsIn seropositives (n = 27), verbal memory showed significant inverse partial correlations with IgG antibody levels (short delay free recall (r=–0.539, p = 0.005), long delay free recall (r=–0.423, p = 0.035), and immediate recall sum trial 1–5 (r=–0.399, p = 0.048)). Cognitive function did not differ between IgG seropositive and seronegative individuals in any of the cognitive domains (F (3,70) = 0.327, p = 0.806, n = 76). IgM positives (n = 7) were too few to be analyzed.ConclusionsThis investigation is the first to show an association between T. gondii IgG serointensity and memory function in a well-diagnosed bipolar disorder sample. It adds to the existing literature on associations between latent T. gondii infection and cognition in bipolar disorder, while further research is needed to confirm and expand our findings, eliminate potential sources of bias, and establish cause-effect relationships.

Causal relationship between genetically predicted antibody-Mediated Immune Responses and female infertility

ObjectiveThis study aims to explore the causal relationship between Antibody-Mediated Immune Response (AIR) and female infertility using Mendelian randomization analysis, providing new targets and insights for treating female infertility. MethodsExposure data from a genome-wide association study (GWAS) involving 9724 participants provided information on 46 types of AIR. Outcome data were sourced from a large-scale meta-analysis of female infertility, which included 899 cases and 246,641 controls. Five different Mendelian randomization analysis methods were used to assess the genetic causal relationship between AIR and female infertility, with the inverse variance-weighted method as the primary approach. The robustness of the study results was evaluated through heterogeneity analysis, pleiotropy tests, and leave-one-out validation. Replication and meta-analysis were conducted using FinnGen data to further identify AIR. ResultsThrough rigorous genetic variant screening, IVW, sensitivity analysis, replication, and meta-analysis, the results indicate that only seropositivity of anti-polyomavirus 2 IgG shows significant evidence of association with female infertility. The reverse MR analysis did not reveal a genetic causal association between female infertility and this antibody-influencing relationship. Sensitivity analysis showed no evidence of pleiotropy or heterogeneity. Replication and meta-analysis using FinnGen data further supported that only anti-polyomavirus 2 IgG seropositivity has a significant association with female infertility. ConclusionUsing Mendelian randomization analysis in two independent samples, this study presents evidence of a genetic association between anti-polyomavirus 2 IgG seropositivity and female infertility. These findings carry significant implications for the prevention and treatment of female infertility in clinical practice.

Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii immunoglobulins and its association with systemic lupus erythematosus: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

The exact cause of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is still unknown. However, hormonal, genetic, and environmental factors may play significant roles in its development. Infection has been recognized as a crucial trigger for SLE development. Several studies have reported a higher prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infections in patients with SLE than in healthy individuals. However, these results were inconsistent. Therefore, this study aimed to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of published studies to provide a definitive conclusion regarding the relationship between T. gondii infection and SLE. We conducted a comprehensive search across diverse databases using an array of search tools to uncover pertinent literature. Following the stringent application of the inclusion and exclusion criteria, we carefully selected the appropriate reports for our meta-analysis. Using Comprehensive Meta-Analysis software v4, we analyzed the data and determined the prevalence of antibodies against T. gondii in patients affected with SLE. To investigate the correlation between T. gondii seropositivity and SLE, we computed the risk ratios (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Eleven studies were considered eligible for inclusion in the present study. The prevalence of anti-IgG and IgM antibodies against T. gondii was 33.9% and 7.7%, respectively. A significant association between T. gondii IgG seropositivity and SLE was observed when compared to the controls (risk ratio = 2.14, 95% CI = 1.42 to 3.22, p = .000). However, IgM seropositivity against T. gondii was comparable between patients with SLE and healthy controls. In summary, this study suggests that T. gondii IgG is more prevalent in patients with SLE than in healthy individuals in areas where T. gondii infections are more frequent. However, an exact cause-and-effect relationship still needs to be established. Therefore, additional research is necessary to validate these findings and to investigate the underlying mechanisms.

Antibody immune responses and causal relationships in four immune skin diseases: Evidence from Mendelian randomization and Bayesian Weighting (Antibody Responses in Skin Diseases: MR & Bayesian).

Recent studies increasingly suggest that microbial infections and the immune responses they elicit play significant roles in the pathogenesis of chronic inflammatory skin diseases. This study uses Mendelian randomization (MR) and Bayesian weighted Mendelian randomization (BWMR) to explore the causal relationships between immune antibody responses and four common skin diseases: psoriasis, atopic dermatitis (AD), rosacea, and vitiligo. We utilized summary statistics from genome-wide association studies (GWAS) for antibody responses to 13 infectious pathogens and four skin diseases. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were selected as instrumental variables (IVs) to assess causal relationships using multiple MR methods, including inverse variance weighted (IVW), MR Egger, and weighted median. BWMR was also employed to confirm findings and address potential pleiotropy. The IVW analysis identified significant associations between specific antibody responses and the skin diseases studied. Key findings include protective associations of anti-Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) IgG seropositivity and Helicobacter pylori UREA antibody levels with psoriasis and AD. anti-chlamydia trachomatis IgG seropositivity, anti-polyomavirus 2 IgG seropositivity, and varicella zoster virus glycoprotein E and I antibody levels were negatively associated with rosacea, while EBV Elevated levels of the early antigen (EA-D) antibody levels and HHV-6 IE1B antibody levels were positively associated with rosacea. H. pylori Catalase antibody levels were protectively associated with vitiligo, whereas anti-herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2) IgG seropositivity was positively associated with vitiligo. The BWMR analysis confirmed these associations. This study underscores the significant role of H. pylori and other pathogens in these skin diseases, suggesting both protective and exacerbating effects depending on the specific condition. Understanding these pathogen-immune interactions can lead to the development of more effective, personalized treatments and preventative strategies, ultimately improving patient outcomes and quality of life.

Seroprevalence of brucellosis among high-risk individuals in Madinah, Saudi Arabia.

Brucellosis is a highly contagious, neglected zoonotic disease of major importance worldwide. The disease is endemic in many countries, burdening healthcare systems and the livestock industry and representing a persistent public health concern in these countries. Brucellosis is considered an important occupational hazard for livestock workers. Limited studies have investigated human brucellosis in Saudi Arabia. Therefore, this study aimed to estimate the prevalence of brucellosis among employees of high-risk brucellosis professions, including veterinarians, animal herders, and abattoir workers in Madinah, Saudi Arabia, and to determine the associated risk factors. A cross-sectional study was conducted in Madinah, Saudi Arabia, during the period of January-March 2023. Ninety blood samples were collected from individuals occupationally at risk of exposure to Brucella infections. Serum samples were examined for immunoglobulins (Ig)M and IgG antibodies against Brucella using an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Before sample collection, a predesigned online questionnaire was used to collect the participants' sociodemographic characteristics and the probable risk factors for human brucellosis. A Chi-square test was used to compare the differences among groups; p < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Among the 90 participants among the high-risk individuals, Brucella IgM and IgG seropositivity were found in 8 (8.8%) and 11 (12.12%) cases, respectively. IgM mono antibody positivity was observed in 4 (4.44%) and 7 (7.77%) of the study population who tested positive for IgG only. Dual positivity for IgM and IgG antibodies was observed in 4 (4.44%) participants. No significant association was determined between seropositivity and age, urbanicity, education, occupation, and duration of exposure (p > 0.05). Brucellosis is a high-risk occupational disease among workers with close contact with livestock. This study demonstrates that the seroprevalence of brucellosis among occupationally high-risk individuals in Madinah, Saudi Arabia, is relatively low compared to other countries in the region. Nevertheless, educational programs should be implemented to improve knowledge regarding brucellosis, particularly among high-risk individuals.

Post-discharge follow-up of pediatric COVID-19 patients: insights into serological dynamics.

Limited data are available regarding SARS-CoV-2 serological response dynamics in pediatric patients with COVID-19, contributing to gaps in our understanding of the immune response in this population. This study aimed to investigate SARS-CoV-2 IgG seropositivity in patients diagnosed with COVID-19 during hospitalization and 2-4 weeks after discharge. A cohort of patients, consisting of 31 individuals with confirmed acute COVID-19 infection and 27 diagnosed with Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C), was enrolled in the study. Follow-up clinic appointments were scheduled for 2-4 weeks post-discharge. During admission and follow-up, blood samples were collected from each patient for laboratory analysis. Anti-nucleoprotein SARS-CoV-2 IgG levels were determined using the Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) method. In this study, a cohort of 58 patients was examined. At admission, 52% (n = 14) of MIS-C patients and 10% (n = 3) of acute COVID-19 patients had positive SARS-CoV-2 IgG test. Only 48 cases were referred to the hospital, and follow-up data was available for 20 cases with MIS-C and 28 cases with acute COVID-19. All patients (n = 15) who initially tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 IgG at admission remained positive serology during follow-up (100%). Among the 33 patients who initially tested negative, 12 (37.5%) showed a positive serology result during follow-up, while 21 (62.5%) remained negative. Within this subgroup, 11 cases (44%) were diagnosed with acute COVID-19, and one patient (12.5%) presented with MIS-C. Fourteen cases with acute COVID-19 infection (56%) and seven cases with MIS-C (87.5%) consistently showed negative serology results throughout the study. During follow-up, the median lymphocyte count demonstrated a significant difference, with 0.96 × 109 cells per L (IQR: 0.75-3.0 × 109 cells per L) in the SARS-CoV-2 IgG-negative group and 2.9 × 109 cells per L (IQR = 1.33-7.22 × 109 cells per L) in the SARS-CoV-2 IgG-positive group (p-value = 0.03). Patients who demonstrated seropositivity during the follow-up were associated with a notably severe disease (p-value = 0.028). Our study highlights the dynamic nature of SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibody responses in pediatric patients with COVID-19 infection. We observed a notable increase in seropositivity rates during follow-up. Furthermore, patients who were seropositive at follow-up demonstrated a severe disease course and lower lymphocyte counts compared to those with persistently negative serology. Our findings underscore the importance of longitudinal serological monitoring in understanding disease progression and immune response dynamics in pediatric COVID-19 cases.

Hepatitis E Virus in the United States and Canada: Is It Time to Consider Blood Donation Screening?

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is the most common cause of acute viral hepatitis in the world and can lead to severe complications in immunocompromised individuals. HEV is primarily transmitted through eating pork, which has led to an increased in anti-HEV IgG seropositivity in the general population of Europe in particular. However, it can also be transmitted intravenously, such as through transfusions. The growing evidence of HEV contamination of blood products and documented cases of transmission have given rise to practice changes and blood product screening of HEV in many European countries. This review covers the abundant European literature and focuses on the most recent data pertaining to the prevalence of HEV RNA positivity and IgG seropositivity in the North American general population and in blood products from Canada and the United States. Currently, Health Canada and the Food and Drug Administration do not require testing of HEV in blood products. For this reason, awareness among blood product prescribers about the possibility of HEV transmission through blood products is crucial. However, we also demonstrate that the province of Quebec has a prevalence of anti-HEV and HEV RNA positivity similar to some European countries. In light of this, we believe that HEV RNA blood donation screening be reevaluated with the availability of more cost-effective assays.

Serum signature of antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii, rubella virus, and cytomegalovirus in females with bipolar disorder: A cross-sectional study

Background and aimImmunity alterations have been observed in bipolar disorder (BD). However, whether serum positivity of antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii (T gondii), rubella, and cytomegalovirus (CMV) shared clinical relevance with BD, remains controversial. This study aimed to investigate this association. MethodsAntibody seropositivity of IgM and IgG to T gondii, rubella virus, and CMV of females with BD and controls was extracted based on medical records from January 2018 to January 2023. Family history, type of BD, onset age, and psychotic symptom history were also collected. Results585 individuals with BD and 800 healthy controls were involved. Individuals with BD revealed a lower positive rate of T gondii IgG in the 10–20 aged group (OR = 0.10), and a higher positive rate of rubella IgG in the 10–20 (OR = 5.44) and 20–30 aged group (OR = 3.15). BD with family history preferred a higher positive rate of T gondii IgG (OR = 24.00). Type-I BD owned a decreased positive rate of rubella IgG (OR = 0.37) and an elevated positive rate of CMV IgG (OR = 2.12) compared to type-II BD, while BD with early onset showed contrast results compared to BD without early onset (Rubella IgG, OR = 2.54; CMV IgG, OR = 0.26). BD with psychotic symptom history displayed a lower positive rate of rubella IgG (OR = 0.50). LimitationsAbsence of male evidence and control of socioeconomic status and environmental exposure. ConclusionsDifferential antibody seropositive rates of T gondii, rubella, and cytomegalovirus in BD were observed.

Hepatitis E virus seroprevalence in patients with human immunodeficiency virus: A single-center study in Japan

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a pathogen that causes hepatitis. There are few reports of HEV seroprevalence among people with human immunodeficiency virus (PWH) in Japan. This study aimed to determine the HEV seroprevalence among PWH at our hospital. Anti-HEV IgG was tested for using enzyme immunoassays and immunoblot assays. Clinical information was obtained from medical records and additional patient questionnaires. Sixty-eight PWH were included in this study. Four patients (5.9 %) showed HEV IgG seropositivity with both methods, while one patient (1.5 %) was seropositive using only the immunoblot assay, and three patients (4.4 %) were seropositive using only the enzyme immunoassay. There was a significant difference in age between anti-HEV IgG-seropositive and -negative individuals (median, 57.5 and 48.0 years, respectively; p = 0.012). There were no significant differences in the other clinical characteristics. Our results revealed that age is a risk factor for HEV infection among PWH.

No Causal Effect of COVID-19 on Varicella-Zoster Infection, Herpes Zoster Progression, and Postherpetic Neuralgia: A Two-Sample Mendelian Randomization Study.

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) may trigger the reactivation of the latent varicella-zoster virus and may be a risk factor for herpes zoster (HZ). However, the causal relationship between COVID-19 and varicella-zoster infections remains controversial. This study aimed to estimate the causal inferences between COVID-19 and HZ. This study used a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) design. The inverse variance-weighted method was used as the primary method and sensitivity analyses were conducted, including the MR-Egger regression, weighted median and weighted mode. We searched at https://gwas.mrcieu.ac.uk/ using the keywords "COVID-19" for exposure data and "zoster" for outcome datasets. We got 26 COVID-19 datasets and five zoster datasets. We used 26 COVID-19 datasets as exposure data corresponding to each zoster dataset for the MR analysis. There were nine datasets of COVID-19 where the number of SNPs was fewer than three in the MR analysis of the risk of HZ, varicella zoster virus (VZV) glycoprotein E and I antibody levels, anti-VZV IgG seropositivity, and post-zoster neuralgia. In addition, there were 10 datasets of COVID-19 where the number of SNPs was less than three in the MR analysis of anti-VZV IgG levels. The results of the MR analysis showed that all p-values were greater than 0.05. Sensitivity analysis revealed no evidence of horizontal pleiotropy in most two sample MR analyses. Our results indicate that there is no causal relationship between COVID-19 and varicella-zoster infection, HZ progression, and postherpetic neuralgia.

Serologic responses to the MVA-based JYNNEOS mpox vaccine in a cohort of participants from the District of Columbia (D.C.)

We assessed early antibody responses after two doses of JYNNEOS (IMVANEX) mpox vaccine in the District of Columbia (D.C.) in persons at high risk for mpox without characteristic lesions or rash. Participants with PCR mpox negative specimens (oral swab, blood, and/or rectal swab) on the day of receipt of the first vaccine dose and who provided a baseline (day 0) serum sample and at least one serum sample at ∼28, ∼42–56 days, or 180 days post vaccination were included in this analysis. Orthopoxvirus (OPXV)-specific IgG and IgM ELISAs and neutralizing antibody titers were performed, and longitudinal serologic responses were examined. Based on participants’ IgG and IgM antibody levels at baseline, they were categorized as naïve or non-naïve. Linear mixed effects regression models were conducted to determine if IgG antibody response over time varied by age, sex, HIV status, and route of administration for both naïve and non-naïve participants. Among both naïve and non-naïve participants IgG seropositivity rates increased until day 42–56, with 89.4 % of naïve and 92.1 % of non-naïve participants having detectable IgG antibodies. The proportion of naive participants with detectable IgG antibodies declined by day 180 (67.7 %) but remained high among non-naïve participants (94.4 %). Neutralizing antibody titers displayed a similar pattern, increasing initially post vaccination but declining by day 180 among naïve participants. There were no significant serologic response differences by age, sex, or HIV status. Serologic response did vary by route of vaccine administration, with those receiving a combination of intradermal and subcutaneous doses displaying significantly higher IgG values than those receiving both doses intradermally. These analyses provide initial insights into the immunogenicity of a two-dose JYNNEOS PEP regimen in individuals at high risk of mpox exposure in the United States.

Efficient transplacental transfer of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies between naturally exposed mothers and infants in Accra, Ghana

We aimed to determine SARS-CoV-2 antibody seropositivity among pregnant women and the transplacental transfer efficiency of SARS-CoV-2-specific antibodies relative to malaria antibodies among SARS-CoV-2 seropositive mother-cord pairs. This cross-sectional study was conducted in Accra, Ghana, from March to May 2022. Antigen- specific IgG antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 (nucleoprotein and spike-receptor binding domain) and malarial antigens (circumsporozoite protein and merozoite surface protein 3) in maternal and cord plasma were measured by ELISA. Plasma from both vaccinated and unvaccinated pregnant women were tested for neutralizing antibodies using commercial kit. Of the unvaccinated pregnant women tested, 58.12% at antenatal clinics and 55.56% at the delivery wards were seropositive for both SARS-CoV-2 nucleoprotein and RBD antibodies. Anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in cord samples correlated with maternal antibody levels (N antigen rs = 0.7155, p < 0.001; RBD rs = 0.8693, p < 0.001). Transplacental transfer of SARS-CoV-2 nucleoprotein antibodies was comparable to circumsporozoite protein antibodies (p = 0.9999) but both were higher than transfer rates of merozoite surface protein 3 antibodies (p < 0.001). SARS-CoV-2 IgG seropositivity among pregnant women in Accra is high with a boost of SARS-CoV-2 RBD-specific IgG in vaccinated women. Transplacental transfer of anti-SARS-CoV-2 and malarial antibodies was efficient, supporting vaccination of mothers as a strategy to protect infants against SARS-CoV-2.

Assessment of the Seroprevalence of Varicella zoster Virus in Young Adults Aged 15 – 35 Years Old in Mashhad, Iran

Background: Varicella zoster virus (VZV) is highly contagious and can lead to two distinct diseases. Initially, it causes chickenpox, a primary infection common among children worldwide, characterized by itchy, red blisters that cover the body. After this initial outbreak, the virus can lie dormant in nerve tissues and may reactivate later in life as herpes zoster, commonly known as shingles, which presents as a painful rash. While chickenpox is generally mild and resolves on its own, it can cause severe complications, especially in vulnerable groups such as immunocompromised individuals or adults. These complications can range from bacterial superinfections and pneumonia to encephalitis. In rare cases, it may lead to life-threatening conditions like necrotizing fasciitis or toxic shock syndrome, highlighting the potential severity of what is often considered a childhood illness. Objectives: One of the main risk factors for varicella-zoster infection is the absence of immunity. Individuals who have not been vaccinated against or previously infected with the VZV are at risk of contracting chickenpox when exposed. Additionally, close contact with infected individuals increases the likelihood of transmission. People with chronic conditions or those undergoing immunosuppressive therapy are particularly vulnerable to severe complications from varicella-zoster infections. Therefore, this study was conducted to assess the seroepidemiology of antibodies against varicella zoster in the young adult population in Mashhad. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2018 on men and women aged 15 to 35 years in Mashhad, northeast Iran. Random cluster sampling was utilized. Individuals undergoing treatment for rare diseases were excluded from the study. The enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA) technique was employed to assess the presence of IgG antibodies against varicella zoster in 724 serum samples. Data analysis was performed using SPSS 20, and the significance level was set at 0.05. Results: Overall, among the 724 participants aged 15 - 35 years old in Mashhad, the frequency of anti-varicella IgG seropositivity was 85.9%. Our results indicated significant associations between age (P = 0.001) and occupational status (P = 0.02) with varicella-zoster seroprevalence. Conclusions: We observed a high frequency of anti-varicella zoster IgG seroprevalence among young adults in Mashhad. Infants, pregnant women, and individuals with weakened immune systems are more likely to develop severe forms of chickenpox or experience complications from shingles, including pneumonia and encephalitis. Given the severe health problems caused by the varicella virus and its high prevalence in Mashhad, we recommend incorporating the varicella vaccine into the public vaccination program. Additionally, further examination of the burden of herpes zoster, including its impact on quality of life and healthcare utilization, can guide interventions to mitigate the consequences of this condition.

Anti_spike and anti_nucleocapsid IgG responses to SARS-CoV-2 in children of Jordan

BackgroundIt is proven that children have significantly milder COVID-19 disease compared to adults. Various immunological characteristics influence this age-related difference in protection against COVID-19. Pediatric COVID-19 in Jordan is extremely under reported. ObjectivesThe primary goal of this work is to identify the anti_S and anti_N antibody responses in a random group of children in Jordan and compare it to that of naturally infected-unvaccinated adults. Methods151 unvaccinated children, 4 days to 18 years old, were screened for anti_S and anti_N antibodies. History of COVID-19 infection or exposure to infection and symptom severity were reported by parents on a special questionnaire. Results78.9 % and 65.3 % of participants were seropositive for anti_S IgG and anti_N Abs, respectively. There was a remarkable association between age and anti_S IgG and anti_N IgG antibody titers, as children aged 12 years or older had increased anti_S IgG titers (mean = 19.3 BAU/mL) compared to younger groups (means of 10.15, 9.24, 7.91 BAU/mL for age groups 6–12, 1–6, less than 1 year, respectively). Gender did not show a statistically important role in anti_S and anti_N IgG seropositivity rates or titers. Children displayed significantly elevated anti_S titers (mean = 13.23 BAU/mL) compared to naturally infected adults (mean = 9.72 BAU/mL), in contrast, adults’ anti_N titers (mean = 39.64 U/mL) were significantly higher compared to those of children (mean = 10.77 U/mL). ConclusionsThe current work provides evidence of distinctly robust and persistent humoral immunity displayed by high anti_S and anti_N IgG in children, even >12 months post-infection. Age was the only factor that had a significant statistical impact on anti_S and anti_N Ab levels among the pediatric group in this study. Children exhibited significantly higher anti_S titers than naturally infected adults. In contrast, adults’ anti_N titers were significantly higher. Such information can assist direct pediatric SARS-CoV-2 immunization programs, with implications for creating age-targeted strategies for diagnostic and population protection measures.