medRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory),
Journal Year:
2021,
Volume and Issue:
unknown
Published: Sept. 20, 2021
Novel
SARS-CoV-2
Variants
of
Concern
(VoC)
pose
a
challenge
to
controlling
the
COVID-19
pandemic.
Previous
studies
indicate
that
clinical
samples
collected
from
individuals
infected
with
Delta
variant
may
contain
higher
levels
RNA
than
previous
variants,
but
relationship
between
viral
and
infectious
virus
for
individual
variants
is
unknown.
We
measured
titer
(using
micro-focus
forming
assay)
as
well
total
subgenomic
RT-PCR)
in
set
165
containing
Alpha,
Epsilon
were
processed
within
two
days
collection
patient.
observed
high
degree
variation
titers
levels.
Despite
variability
we
overall
infectivity
differed
among
three
variants.
Both
had
significantly
by
number
units
per
quantity
E
gene
(6
4
times
much,
p=0.0002
0.009
respectively)
or
(11
7
p<0.0001
0.006
respectively).
In
addition
reported
variant,
(amount
replication
competent
genome
copy)
also
be
increased
compared
Alpha.
Measuring
live
an
important
step
assessing
novel
An
increase
further
explain
spread
suggests
need
measures
prevent
transmission.
Current
future
threaten
our
ability
control
transmission,
loads,
greater
immune
evasion
are
particular
concern.
Viral
loads
currently
amount
sample
rather
virus.
both
directly
specimens
Our
data
shows
more
∼
six
much
same
RNA.
This
(vaccination,
masking,
distancing,
ventilation)
needed
Journal of Extracellular Vesicles,
Journal Year:
2022,
Volume and Issue:
11(3)
Published: March 1, 2022
Several
vaccines
have
been
introduced
to
combat
the
coronavirus
infectious
disease-2019
(COVID-19)
pandemic,
caused
by
severe
acute
respiratory
syndrome
2
(SARS-CoV-2).
Current
SARS-CoV-2
include
mRNA-containing
lipid
nanoparticles
or
adenoviral
vectors
that
encode
Spike
(S)
protein
of
SARS-CoV-2,
inactivated
virus,
subunits.
Despite
growing
success
in
worldwide
vaccination
efforts,
additional
capabilities
may
be
needed
future
address
issues
such
as
stability
and
storage
requirements,
need
for
vaccine
boosters,
desirability
different
routes
administration,
emergence
variants
Delta
variant.
Here,
we
present
a
novel,
well-characterized
candidate
based
on
extracellular
vesicles
(EVs)
Salmonella
typhimurium
are
decorated
with
mammalian
cell
culture-derived
receptor-binding
domain
(RBD).
RBD-conjugated
outer
membrane
(RBD-OMVs)
were
used
immunize
golden
Syrian
hamster
(Mesocricetus
auratus)
model
COVID-19.
Intranasal
immunization
resulted
high
titres
blood
anti-RBD
IgG
well
detectable
mucosal
responses.
Neutralizing
antibody
activity
against
wild-type
was
evident
all
vaccinated
subjects.
Upon
challenge
live
hamsters
immunized
RBD-OMV,
but
not
animals
unconjugated
OMVs
vehicle
control,
avoided
body
mass
loss,
had
lower
virus
bronchoalveolar
lavage
fluid,
experienced
less
lung
pathology.
Our
results
emphasize
value
versatility
OMV-based
approaches.
EBioMedicine,
Journal Year:
2022,
Volume and Issue:
79, P. 104008 - 104008
Published: April 20, 2022
The
increase
in
SARS-CoV-2
infections
December
2021
was
driven
primarily
by
the
Omicron
variant,
which
largely
displaced
Delta
over
a
three-week
span.
Outcomes
from
infection
with
remain
uncertain.
We
evaluated
whether
clinical
outcomes
and
viral
loads
differed
between
during
period
when
both
variants
were
co-circulating.
Open Forum Infectious Diseases,
Journal Year:
2022,
Volume and Issue:
9(6)
Published: April 18, 2022
Billions
of
doses
coronavirus
disease
2019
(COVID-19)
vaccines
have
been
administered
globally,
dramatically
reducing
severe
acute
respiratory
syndrome
2
(SARS-CoV-2)
incidence
and
severity
in
some
settings.
Many
studies
suggest
provide
a
high
degree
protection
against
infection
disease,
but
precise
estimates
vary
differ
design,
outcomes
measured,
dosing
regime,
location,
circulating
virus
strains.
In
this
study,
we
conduct
systematic
review
COVID-19
through
February
2022.
We
included
efficacy
data
from
Phase
3
clinical
trials
for
15
undergoing
World
Health
Organization
Emergency
Use
Listing
evaluation
real-world
effectiveness
8
with
observational
meeting
inclusion
criteria.
Vaccine
metrics
collected
include
asymptomatic
infection,
any
symptomatic
COVID-19,
including
hospitalization
death,
partial
or
complete
vaccination,
variants
concern
Alpha,
Beta,
Gamma,
Delta,
Omicron.
additionally
the
epidemiological
principles
behind
design
interpretation
vaccine
studies,
important
sources
heterogeneity.
medRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory),
Journal Year:
2022,
Volume and Issue:
unknown
Published: Jan. 11, 2022
Abstract
Background
Viral
load
(VL)
is
one
determinant
of
secondary
transmission
SARS-CoV-2.
Emergence
variants
concerns
(VOC)
Alpha
and
Delta
was
ascribed,
at
least
partly,
to
higher
VL.
Furthermore,
with
parts
the
population
vaccinated,
knowledge
on
VL
in
vaccine-breakthrough
infections
crucial.
As
RNA
only
a
weak
proxy
for
infectiousness,
studies
infectious
virus
presence
by
cell
culture
isolation
are
importance.
Methods
We
assessed
nasopharyngeal
swabs
COVID-19
patients
quantitative
viral
titres
(IVT)
focus-forming
assay
compared
overall
success
genome
copies.
IVTs
during
first
5
symptomatic
days
total
384
patients:
unvaccinated
individuals
infected
pre-VOC
SARS-CoV-2
(n=
118)
or
127)
vaccine
breakthrough
121)
Omicron
(n=18).
Findings
Correlation
between
copy
number
IVT
low
all
groups.
No
correlation
age
sex
seen.
observed
copies
Delta,
but
significantly
individuals.
Vaccinated
had
lower
subjects
cleared
faster.
In
addition,
vaccinated
infection
comparable
infections.
Interpretation
Quantitative
can
give
detailed
insights
into
shedding
kinetics.
Vaccination
associated
faster
clearance
showing
that
vaccination
would
also
risk.
did
not
show
elevated
suggesting
other
mechanisms
than
increase
contribute
high
infectiousness
Omicron.
Funding
This
work
supported
Swiss
National
Science
Foundation
196644,
196383,
NRP
(National
Research
Program)
78
Covid-19
Grant
198412,
Fondation
Ancrage
Bienfaisance
du
Groupe
Pictet
Privée
des
Hôpitaux
Universitaires
de
Genève.
iScience,
Journal Year:
2022,
Volume and Issue:
25(5), P. 104223 - 104223
Published: April 11, 2022
The
effect
of
SARS-CoV-2
infection
on
placental
function
is
not
well
understood.
Analysis
placentas
from
women
who
tested
positive
at
delivery
showed
genomic
and
subgenomic
RNA
in
22
out
52
placentas.
Placentas
two
mothers
with
symptomatic
COVID-19
whose
pregnancies
resulted
adverse
outcomes
for
the
fetuses
contained
high
levels
viral
Alpha
variant
RNA.
was
localized
to
trophoblasts
that
cover
fetal
chorionic
villi
direct
contact
maternal
blood.
intervillous
spaces
were
infiltrated
macrophages
T
cells.
Transcriptome
analysis
an
increased
expression
chemokines
pathways
associated
inflammation.
Infection
cultures
live
spike
protein-pseudotyped
lentivirus
syncytiotrophoblast
and,
rare
cases,
endothelial
cells
mediated
by
ACE2
Neuropilin-1.
Viruses
Alpha,
Beta,
Delta
spikes
infected
significantly
greater
levels.
Nature,
Journal Year:
2025,
Volume and Issue:
unknown
Published: Feb. 5, 2025
Abstract
The
severe
acute
respiratory
syndrome
coronavirus
2
(SARS-CoV-2)
has
rapidly
evolved
over
short
timescales,
leading
to
the
emergence
of
more
transmissible
variants
such
as
Alpha
and
Delta
1–3
.
arrival
Omicron
variant
marked
a
major
shift,
introducing
numerous
extra
mutations
in
spike
gene
compared
with
earlier
1,2
These
evolutionary
changes
have
raised
concerns
regarding
their
potential
impact
on
immune
evasion,
disease
severity
effectiveness
vaccines
treatments
1,3
In
this
epidemiological
study,
we
identified
two
distinct
patterns
protective
effect
natural
infection
against
reinfection
versus
pre-Omicron
eras.
Before
Omicron,
provided
strong
durable
protection
reinfection,
minimal
waning
time.
However,
during
era,
was
robust
only
for
those
recently
infected,
declining
time
diminishing
within
year.
results
demonstrate
that
SARS-CoV-2
is
shaped
by
dynamic
interaction
between
host
immunity
viral
evolution,
contrasting
before
after
Omicron’s
first
wave.
This
shift
suggests
change
pressures,
intrinsic
transmissibility
driving
adaptation
escape
becoming
dominant
post-Omicron,
underscoring
need
periodic
vaccine
updates
sustain
immunity.
Travel Medicine and Infectious Disease,
Journal Year:
2021,
Volume and Issue:
45, P. 102246 - 102246
Published: Dec. 21, 2021
Omicron
Variant
of
concern
SARS-CoV-2
Booster
dose
Emerging
virusesThe
emergence
highly
mutated
severe
acute
respiratory
syndrome
coronavirus
2
(SARS-CoV-2)
variant
(B.1.1.529)has
ushered
panic
responses
around
the
world
due
to
its
contagious
and
vaccine
escape
mutations.This
has
been
designated
as
a
(VOC)
by
World
Health
Organization
(WHO)
[1,2].Since
January
2021,
multiple
virus
variants
have
emerged
become
dominant
in
many
countries
[Table
1].The
these
VOCs
(Alpha,
Beta,
Gamma,
Delta)
was
responsible
for
new
waves
infections
across
entire
[3].The
Delta
reported
increased
transmissibility,
higher
viral
load
[4]
high
rates
reinfection
[5].Because
ability
from
natural
immunity
[6],
it
became
globally
variant.The
VOC
transformed
notion
COVID-19
endgame
created
fresh
discussion
over-vaccination
effectiveness
ongoing
booster
campaign
an
already
COVID-19-weary
world.Compared
other
VOCs,
this
variation
unusually
carries
exceptionally
number
mutations
(50)
on
spike
(S)
protein,
major
antigenic
target
antibodies
produced
or
immunization.This
led
scientific
community
investigate
how
much
could
undermine
existing
vaccines.The
knows
little
about
Omicron's
infectivity,
breakthrough,
antibody
resistance,
reliable
experimental
results
labs
will
take
few
weeks
come
out.Although
conclusive
immunological
clinical
data
are
not
yet
available,
early
genomic
show
immune
evasion
capabilities,
fast
transmission
ability,
rate,
severity
[7].This
triggered
calls
intensify
vaccination
programmes,
including
doses
[8].
1.
"Omicron"
escalates
debate:
boost