2021-12-19

Biology Department, College of Science, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Electronic address: sialothman@pnu.edu.sa.; Department of Animal Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sadat City, Sadat City 32897, Menoufia, Egypt.; Biology Department, College of Science, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.; Biology Department, College of Science, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.; Department of Biology, College of Science, Jazan University, P.O. Box 2079, Jazan 45142, Saudi Arabia.; Department of Biology, King Khalid Military Academy, Riyadh 14625, Saudi Arabia.; Zoology Department, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia.; Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Beni-suef University, Beni-suef 65211, Egypt. Electronic address: ahmed.aliahmed@science.bsu.edu.eg.; Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.; Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Menoufia University, 32512 Shebin El-Kom, Egypt. Electronic address: elshabasy1010@gmail.com.

The Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome-related Coronavirus 2 (COVID-19 or SARS-CoV-2) epidemic is professed as world disaster producing a worrying increasing mortality, particularly amongst vulnerable humans worldwide. Whether COVID-19 has a strong ability for acceptable genetic flexibility that amended for breaking immune responses quickly, it is critical to understand the adaptation mechanism between viruses and hosts that allows individuals to follow viral development. This can contribute to finding the appropriate treatment to combat the epidemic. However, the present information about viral adaptation mechanisms in hosts is still insufficient, and future investigations may reveal the unknown. Mutations and genetic variations are naturally occurring; however, the current knowledge about their mechanism and pathways still has many secrets. The present review also provides insights into the immune system, immunological memory, and the development of the COVID-19 vaccine. Other

2021-12-19

Department of Medicine Huddinge, Center for Infectious Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.; Department of Medicine Huddinge, Center for Infectious Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.; Department of Medicine Huddinge, Center for Infectious Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden. Electronic address: marcus.buggert@ki.se.

Exceptional efforts have been undertaken to shed light into the biology of adaptive immune responses to SARS-CoV-2. T cells occupy a central role in adaptive immunity to mediate helper functions to different arms of the immune system and are fundamental to mediate protection, control, and clearance of most viral infections. Even though many questions remain unsolved, there is a growing literature linking specific T cell characteristics to differential COVID-19 severity and vaccine outcome. In this review, we summarize our current understanding of CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cell responses in acute and convalescent COVID-19. Further, we discuss the T cell literature coupled to pre-existing immunity and vaccines and highlight the need to look beyond blood to fully understand how T cells function in the tissue space.CI - Copyright © 2021 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.

2021-12-02

Division of Neurology, Tohoku Medical and Pharmaceutical University, Sendai, Japan. Electronic address: j-fujimori@tohoku-mpu.ac.jp.; Division of Neurology, Tohoku Medical and Pharmaceutical University, Sendai, Japan.; Division of Neurology, Tohoku Medical and Pharmaceutical University, Sendai, Japan.

Vaccine administration may be involved in the development of some central nervous system demyelinating diseases. The COVID-19 vaccine is being administered to the entire population, but to date, little association between vaccination and the risk of developing multiple sclerosis (MS) has been suggested, and only a few case reports have been published. Here, we present a 40-year-old woman who developed cervical myelitis after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. Myelitis was considered the initial clinical manifestation of MS. Our case suggests a possible link between the vaccination and the clinical MS attack.CI - Copyright © 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

2021-11-25

Centre for Public Health Data Science, Institute of Health Informatics, University College, 222 Euston Rd, London NW1 2DA, UK. Electronic address: t.byrne@ucl.ac.uk.; Centre for Public Health Data Science, Institute of Health Informatics, University College, 222 Euston Rd, London NW1 2DA, UK. Electronic address: parth.patel@ucl.ac.uk.; Centre for Public Health Data Science, Institute of Health Informatics, University College, 222 Euston Rd, London NW1 2DA, UK.; Centre for Public Health Data Science, Institute of Health Informatics, University College, 222 Euston Rd, London NW1 2DA, UK; Institute of Epidemiology and Health Care, University College London, 1-19 Torrington Place, London WC1E 7HB, UK.; Centre for Behaviour Change, University College London, 1-19 Torrington Place, London WC1E 7HB, UK.; Race Equality Foundation, 27 Greenwood Pl, London NW5 1LB, UK.; Independent Consultant, UK.; Department of Population, Policy and Practice, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, 30 Guilford St, London WC1N 1EH, UK.; Institute for Global Health, University College London, 30 Guilford St, London WC1N 1EH, UK; Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust, Pond Street, London, NW3 2QG, UK.; Centre for Public Health Data Science, Institute of Health Informatics, University College, 222 Euston Rd, London NW1 2DA, UK.; Centre for Public Health Data Science, Institute of Health Informatics, University College, 222 Euston Rd, London NW1 2DA, UK.; Centre for Public Health Data Science, Institute of Health Informatics, University College, 222 Euston Rd, London NW1 2DA, UK.; Centre for Public Health Data Science, Institute of Health Informatics, University College, 222 Euston Rd, London NW1 2DA, UK; Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel St, London WC1E 7HT, UK.; Centre for Public Health Data Science, Institute of Health Informatics, University College, 222 Euston Rd, London NW1 2DA, UK; Institute of Epidemiology and Health Care, University College London, 1-19 Torrington Place, London WC1E 7HB, UK.; Institute of Epidemiology and Health Care, University College London, 1-19 Torrington Place, London WC1E 7HB, UK.; Centre for Public Health Data Science, Institute of Health Informatics, University College, 222 Euston Rd, London NW1 2DA, UK; Institute of Epidemiology and Health Care, University College London, 1-19 Torrington Place, London WC1E 7HB, UK.; Centre for Public Health Data Science, Institute of Health Informatics, University College, 222 Euston Rd, London NW1 2DA, UK; Institute of Epidemiology and Health Care, University College London, 1-19 Torrington Place, London WC1E 7HB, UK.; Institute of Epidemiology and Health Care, University College London, 1-19 Torrington Place, London WC1E 7HB, UK.; Centre for Public Health Data Science, Institute of Health Informatics, University College, 222 Euston Rd, London NW1 2DA, UK. Electronic address: r.aldridge@ucl.ac.uk.CN - Virus Watch Collaborative

BACKGROUND: Vaccination intention is key to the success of any vaccination programme, alongside vaccine availability and access. Public intention to take a COVID-19 vaccine is high in England and Wales compared to other countries, but vaccination rate disparities between ethnic, social and age groups has led to concern. METHODS: Online survey of prospective household community cohort study participants across England and Wales (Virus Watch). Vaccination intention was measured by individual participant responses to 'Would you accept a COVID-19 vaccine if offered?', collected in December 2020 and February 2021. Responses to a 13-item questionnaire collected in January 2021 were analysed using factor analysis to investigate psychological influences on vaccination intention. RESULTS: Survey response rate was 56% (20,785/36,998) in December 2020 and 53% (20,590/38,727) in February 2021, with 14,880 adults reporting across both time points. In December 2020, 1,469 (10%) participants

2021-10-11

Carle Illinois College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, United States. Electronic address: aksalpv2@illinois.edu.; Carle Illinois College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, United States; Department of Biomedical and Translational Sciences, Carle Illinois College of Medicine, Department of Bioengineering, Grainger College of Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, United States.

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted individuals, families, and communities for well over a year, and has brought light to how a broad range of social, economic, and historically relevant factors take massive tolls on the health and well-being of underserved communities around the world. This literature review aims to bring light to the current landscape of vaccines, disparities that exist in COVID-19 response, the historical relevance of the ongoing pandemic, and what needs to be accomplished for a more prepared response to potential future pandemics. It will be shown that as the world continues become more interconnected, amplification of international cooperation and well-funded response organizations are imperative to provide more equitable care in future health crises. The synthesis of current research will be helpful to researchers analyzing historical trends in the COVID-19 pandemic and individuals interested in better understanding and advocating for underserved communities

2021-10-04

Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore 138673.; Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore 138673.; Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore 138673.; Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore 138673.; Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore 138673.; Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Singapore 308232.; Department of Radiology, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA 92103, USA.; Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore 138673.; Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119260.; INTRA-ImmuSG Private Limited, Singapore 079903.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has caused the global pandemic of the Coronavirus disease in late 2019 (COVID-19). Vaccine development efforts have predominantly been aimed at 'Extra-viral' Spike (S) protein as vaccine vehicles, but there are concerns regarding 'viral immune escape' since multiple mutations may enable the mutated virus strains to escape from immunity against S protein. The 'Intra-viral' Nucleocapsid (N-protein) is relatively conserved among mutant strains of coronaviruses during spread and evolution. Herein, we demonstrate novel vaccine candidates against SARS-CoV-2 by using the whole conserved N-protein or its fragment/peptides. Using ELISA assay, we showed that high titers of specific anti-N antibodies (IgG, IgG1, IgG2a, IgM) were maintained for a reasonably long duration (> 5 months), suggesting that N-protein is an excellent immunogen to stimulate host immune system and robust B-cell activation. We synthesized three peptides located at

2021-09-22

Department of Cytology and Histology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt. hanymarei@mans.edu.eg.; Biomedical Research Center, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar.; Qatar Biobank, Doha, Qatar.; Pharmacology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico A. Gemelli, IRCCS, Rome, Italy.; Biomedical Sciences, Virginia Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Blacksburg, VA, USA.; ASL Roma1, Presidio Territoriale Boccea 271, Roma, Italy.; Institute of Translational Pharmacology-CNR, Rome, Italy.

We give a summary of SARS-genetic CoV-2's structure and evolution, as well as current attempts to develop efficient vaccine and treatment methods for SARS-CoV-2 infection, in this article. Most therapeutic strategies are based on repurposing of existing therapeutic agents used against various virus infections and focused mainly on inhibition of the virus replication cycle, enhancement of innate immunity, and alleviation of CRS caused by COVID-19. Currently, more than 100 clinical trials on COVID-19 aim to provide robust evidence on the efficacy of the currently available anti-SARS-CoV-2 antiviral substances, such as the nucleotide analogue remdesivir, the antimalarial drug chloroquine, and drugs directed against docking of SARS-CoV-2 to the membrane-associated angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) such as transmembrane protease serine 2 (TMPRSS2). The current vaccination campaign is ongoing worldwide using different types of vaccines such as Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna, Johnson &

2021-09-22

Virus Vaccine Group, BIKEN Innovative Vaccine Research Alliance Laboratories, Institute for Open and Transdisciplinary Research Initiatives, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan; The Research Foundation for Microbial Diseases of Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan.; Virus Vaccine Group, BIKEN Innovative Vaccine Research Alliance Laboratories, Institute for Open and Transdisciplinary Research Initiatives, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan; The Research Foundation for Microbial Diseases of Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan; Virus Vaccine Group, BIKEN Innovative Vaccine Research Alliance Laboratories, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan. Electronic address: hebina@biken.osaka-u.ac.jp.

In an effort to control the COVID-19 pandemic, large-scale vaccination is being implemented in various countries using anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccines based on mRNAs, adenovirus vectors, and inactivated viruses. However, there are concerns regarding adverse effects, such as the induction of fever attributed to mRNA vaccines and pre-existing immunity against adenovirus vectored vaccines or their possible involvement in the development of thrombosis. The induction of antibodies against the adenovirus vector itself constitutes another hindrance, rendering boosting vaccinations ineffective. Additionally, it has been questioned whether inactivated vaccines that predominantly induce humoral immunity are effective against newly arising variants, as some isolated strains were found to be resistant to the serum from COVID-19-recovered patients. Although the number of vaccinated people is steadily increasing on a global scale, it is still necessary to develop vaccines to address the difficulties and

2021-09-22

Chair and MSD Member, Access Group, Vaccines Europe, 162 Avenue Jean Jaurès, 69007 Lyon, France. Electronic address: valerie.laigle@msd.com.; Department of Economics, Econometrics & Finance, University of Groningen, Faculty of Economics & Business, Groningen, The Netherlands; Department of Pharmacology & Therapy, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya, Indonesia; Center of Excellence in Higher Education for Pharmaceutical Care Innovation, Universitas Padjadjaran, Bandung, Indonesia; Department of Health Sciences, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands. Electronic address: m.j.postma@rug.nl.; Medicines Development and Training (MDT) Services, 7 rue Jobbé Duval, 75015 Paris, France. Electronic address: Mira.Pavlovic@mdt-services.eu.; Section of Hygiene, University Department of Life Sciences and Public Health, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy. Electronic address: chiara.cadeddu@unicatt.it.; GSK Member, Access Group, Vaccines Europe, Avenue Fleming 20, 1300 Wavre, Belgium. Electronic address: ekkehard.x.beck@gsk.com.; Creativ-Ceutical 215, rue du Faubourg St-Honoré, 75008 Paris, France. Electronic address: Anna.Kapusniak@creativ-ceutical.com.; Creativ-Ceutical, 215, rue du Faubourg St-Honoré, 75008 Paris, France & Aix-Marseille University, 13007 Marseille, France. Electronic address: Mondher.Toumi@univ-amu.fr.

BACKGROUND: Vaccine market access (VMA) pathways across the European Union (EU) and the United Kingdom (UK) are complex, lengthy, and heterogeneous, particularly when compared with pharmaceuticals. The knowledge base to inform recommendations for optimization of VMA is lacking. We therefore conducted a comprehensive evaluation of EU VMA pathways. METHODS: Research in two phases included: (1) mapping VMA pathways in each EU member state (including the UK) based on a literature review, expert interviews, and mathematical archetyping; and (2) interviews with vaccine experts to identify barriers, drivers, and recommendations for regional VMA alignments. RESULTS: Key steps in VMA across the EU include horizon scanning, early advice, National Immunization Technical Advisory Group (NITAG) recommendation for inclusion in national immunization programs, health technology assessment (HTA), final decision and procurement. We found significant complexity and heterogeneity, particularly for early

2021-09-21

Division of Cardiology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States of America. Electronic address: Antonio.abbate@vcuhealth.org.; Allergy, Immunology and Rheumatology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States of America.; Allergy, Immunology and Rheumatology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States of America.; Anesthesiology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States of America.; Anesthesiology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States of America.; Cardiothoracic Surgery, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States of America.; Infectious Disease - Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States of America.; Division of Cardiology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States of America.; Allergy, Immunology and Rheumatology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States of America.; Allergy, Immunology and Rheumatology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States of America. Electronic address: Stamatina.danielides@vcuhealth.org.

Immune-mediated myocardial injury following Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirys-2 (SARS-CoV2) infection has been described in adults and children. Cases of myocarditis following immunization for SARS-CoV2 have recently been documented, mostly associated with mild severity and spontaneous recovery. We herein report two cases of fulminant myocarditis following BNT162b2 mRNA Covid-19 vaccination associated with systemic hyperinflammatory syndrome and refractory shock requiring support with veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.CI - Copyright © 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.