Search Results (3)

Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and lupus nephritis (LN) are at increased risk of severe infections, making effective vaccination strategies essential. While antibody responses to SARS-CoV-2 vaccination have been studied in SLE, less is known about innate immune correlates. Therefore, we evaluated cytokines with a particular emphasis on interferon and chemokine profiles. To fulfill the immunological picture, we also assessed neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 variants, lymphocyte subpopulations, and selected gene expression signatures in 33 patients stratified by vaccination status: fully vaccinated (FV, n = 23) and partially vaccinated (PV, n = 10). Serum analyses showed that FV patients exhibited increased type I (IFN-α2, IFN-β) and type III (IFN-λ1, IFN-λ2/3) interferons, as well as elevated pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-12p70) and IL-10, whereas neutralizing antibody (Neut. Ab.) titers against wild-type and variant strains, including Omicron, were comparable between groups. Immunophenotyping demonstrated preserved T- and B-cell subset distributions, except for reduced CD8⁺CD197⁺CD45RA⁻ (central memory) T cells in FV patients. ISG15 gene expression was upregulated in the T cells of FV patients. Correlation analyses linked IL-6 with disease activity and IL-8, GM-CSF, IFN-β, IL-10, and Alpha Neut. Ab. with organ damage. Complement C3 correlated inversely with IFN-α2 and IFN-γ, while C4 correlated positively with Alpha and Omicron Neut. Ab. These findings highlight that vaccination in SLE induces distinct interferon and cytokine signatures without consistent enhancement of neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2, underscoring the importance of integrated immune correlates in assessing vaccine responses in this population. Full article

Background: Poliovirus post-eradication containment of wild-type 2 poliovirus (PV2) requires the destruction of all materials containing, or potentially containing, PV2. Acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) cases in Israel between 1973 and 1988 were caused by all three serotypes; thus, isolates from cases and case-contacts were either PV2 or potentially contaminated with PV2. Aims: To provide a proof-of-concept that whole genome sequences (WGS) of wild-type 3 poliovirus (PV3s) could be salvaged from the RNA extracted directly from archived poliovirus stocks avoiding re-amplification of neurovirulent viruses, we link WGSs to case histories and determine the phylogenetic relationships among the PV3s. Methods: Data retrieved from 427 poliovirus-positive cases reported between 1973 and 1988 identified 85 PV3-associated cases. A total of 71 archived PV3 isolates were available from PV3-positive cases and contacts. WGSs were obtained by NGS from cDNA libraries constructed from RNA extracted directly from archived viral stocks. Sequences were subjected to phylogenetic analysis and linked to case data. Results: WGSs were successfully constructed for 55 isolates. Phylogenetic analysis revealed the circulation of seven lineages of PV3. One lineage, with 23 isolates, presented as an outbreak of six-year duration. Isolates from six other lineages were consistent with subsequent separate introductions, sporadic cases, and limited transmission. Recombinant vaccine-like PV3 recombinants were isolated from some cases. Conclusions: Whole or near-whole genome sequence information, obtained from RNA extracted directly from the archived material, safely provided detailed genetic information linked to patient data from a time when limited sequence information was previously available and revealed the pattern of transmission of wild PV3 in Israel. Full article

Various studies have suggested the possible cardiovascular (CV) protective effects of the pneumococcal vaccine (PV). Therefore, we conducted a meta-analysis to assess the association between recipients of PV with mortality and CV outcomes among patients with and without established cardiovascular disease. We performed a systematic literature search in PubMed, Embase, and Scopus for studies evaluating the effect of PV on mortality and CV outcomes. A total of 15 studies with 347,444 patients were included in the meta-analysis: 111,784 patients received PV (32%) and 235,660 patients were in the unvaccinated group (68%). Recipients of PV were associated with decreased all-cause mortality (HR, 0.76 (95% CI: 0.66 to 0.87), p < 0.001). PV was associated with a decrease in the incidence of myocardial infarction (MI) (HR, 0.73 (95% CI: 0.56–0.96), p = 0.02), without significant reduction in CV mortality (HR, 0.87 (95% CI: 0.72–1.07), p = 0.18) and stroke (HR, 1.01 (95% CI: 0.93–1.10), p = 0.82). Our study found PV was associated with decreased risk of all-cause mortality and MI. Future RCTs will be necessary to confirm benefits associated with receipt of PV. Full article