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Open AccessArticle

Anti-Spike Antibodies Present in the Milk of SARS-CoV-2 Vaccinated Mothers Are Complement-Activating

by Chiara Agostinis, Miriam Toffoli, Andrea Balduit, Alessandro Mangogna, Hadida Yasmin, Chiara Ragazzon, Silvia Pegoraro, Giuseppina Campisciano, Guglielmo Stabile, Gabriella Zito, Uday Kishore, Manola Comar, Federica Scrimin, Roberta Bulla and Giuseppe Ricci

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(5), 4395; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24054395 - 23 Feb 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2745

Abstract

Although only 0.8–1% of SARS-CoV-2 infections are in the 0–9 age-group, pneumonia is still the leading cause of infant mortality globally. Antibodies specifically directed against SARS-CoV-2 spike protein (S) are produced during severe COVID-19 manifestations. Following vaccination, specific antibodies are also detected in the milk of breastfeeding mothers. Since antibody binding to viral antigens can trigger activation of the complement classical - pathway, we investigated antibody-dependent complement activation by anti-S immunoglobulins (Igs) present in breast milk following SARS-CoV-2 vaccination. This was in view of the fact that complement could play a fundamentally protective role against SARS-CoV-2 infection in newborns. Thus, 22 vaccinated, lactating healthcare and school workers were enrolled, and a sample of serum and milk was collected from each woman. We first tested for the presence of anti-S IgG and IgA in serum and milk of breastfeeding women by ELISA. We then measured the concentration of the first subcomponents of the three complement pathways (i.e., C1q, MBL, and C3) and the ability of anti-S Igs detected in milk to activate the complement in vitro. The current study demonstrated that vaccinated mothers have anti-S IgG in serum as well as in breast milk, which is capable of activating complement and may confer a protective benefit to breastfed newborns. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue State-of-the-Art Molecular Immunology in Italy)

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37 pages, 4268 KB

Open AccessReview

Host–Pathogen Interaction in Leishmaniasis: Immune Response and Vaccination Strategies

by Hadida Yasmin, Anureeta Adhikary, Mohammed N. Al-Ahdal, Syamal Roy and Uday Kishore

Immuno 2022, 2(1), 218-254; https://doi.org/10.3390/immuno2010015 - 9 Mar 2022

Cited by 40 | Viewed by 17710

Abstract

Leishmaniasis is a zoonotic and vector-borne infectious disease that is caused by the genus Leishmania belonging to the trypanosomatid family. The protozoan parasite has a digenetic life cycle involving a mammalian host and an insect vector. Leishmaniasisis is a worldwide public health problem falling under the neglected tropical disease category, with over 90 endemic countries, and approximately 1 million new cases and 20,000 deaths annually. Leishmania infection can progress toward the development of species–specific pathologic disorders, ranging in severity from self-healing cutaneous lesions to disseminating muco-cutaneous and fatal visceral manifestations. The severity and the outcome of leishmaniasis is determined by the parasite’s antigenic epitope characteristics, the vector physiology, and most importantly, the immune response and immune status of the host. This review examines the nature of host–pathogen interaction in leishmaniasis, innate and adaptive immune responses, and various strategies that have been employed for vaccine development. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Infectious Immunology and Vaccines)

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16 pages, 441 KB

Open AccessReview

Unusual Inflammatory Tinea Infections: Majocchi’s Granuloma and Deep/Systemic Dermatophytosis

by Jade Castellanos, Andrea Guillén-Flórez, Adriana Valencia-Herrera, Mirna Toledo-Bahena, Erika Ramírez-Cortés, Sonia Toussaint-Caire, Carlos Mena-Cedillos, Marcela Salazar-García and Alexandro Bonifaz

J. Fungi 2021, 7(11), 929; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof7110929 - 31 Oct 2021

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 10620

Abstract

Purpose of review. Inflammatory tinea is an uncommon group of dermatophyte entities that predominantly cause fungal infection of the skin and hair. This review intends to present all of the available evidence regarding its epidemiology, etiopathogenesis, clinical features, and diagnostic methods as well as treatments recommended for various inflammatory tinea infections. This article provides a review of Majocchi’s granuloma and dermatophytic or Hadida’s disease. Recent findings. The new phylogenetic classification of dermatophytes includes nine genera, and those that affect humans are Trichophyton, Microsporum, Epidermophyton, and Nannizzia. Furthermore, molecular advancements have revealed impaired antifungal immune responses caused by inflammatory tinea, which are detailed in this article. Summary. The common denominator in these pathologies is the presence of impaired immune responses and, consequently, an impaired inflammatory response by the host. It is necessary to be familiar with these immunological characteristics in order to use the appropriate diagnostic methods and to provide adequate treatment. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pediatric Fungal Infections: Diagnostic and Therapeutic Aspects)

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