Immune and behavioral correlates of protection against symptomatic post-vaccination SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Introduction: We sought to determine pre-infection correlates of protection against SARS-CoV-2 post-vaccine inzfections (PVI) acquired during the first Omicron wave in the United States.

Methods: Serum and saliva samples from 176 vaccinated adults were collected from October to December of 2021, immediately before the Omicron wave, and assessed for SARS-CoV-2 Spike-specific IgG and IgA binding antibodies (bAb). Sera were also assessed for bAb using commercial assays, and for neutralization activity against several SARS-CoV-2 variants.

Natural killer cells and BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine reactogenicity and durability.

Introduction: Natural killer (NK) cells can both amplify and regulate immune responses to vaccination. Studies in humans and animals have observed NK cell activation within days after mRNA vaccination. In this study, we sought to determine if baseline NK cell frequencies, phenotype, or function correlate with antibody responses or inflammatory side effects induced by the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine (BNT162b2).

The interaction of socioeconomic stress and race on telomere length in children: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Rationale: Proposed mechanisms relating early life exposures to poor health suggest that biologic indicators of risk are observable in childhood. Telomere length (TL) is a biomarker of aging, psychosocial stress, and a range of environmental exposures. In adults, exposure to early life adversity, including low socioeconomic status (SES), is predictive of shorter TL.

The burden of chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis in older adults in the United States: A systematic review.

Background: Increases in life expectancy, the availability of sexual performance enhancing medication, and changes in sexual partnering suggest that sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among older persons could be on the rise, yet there have been relatively few studies examining STIs in this demographic. Our systematic review aimed to further characterize the incidence and prevalence of chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis, along with associated risk factors among older adults (45 years or older) in the United States.

Methods: We searched five electronic databases (PubMed, Embase, Cinahl, Web of Science, and Global Health) for data published from inception to January 2021.

Burden of trichomoniasis among older adults in the United States: a systematic review.

Despite being one of the most common sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the United States, the epidemiology of trichomoniasis remains understudied. One population that has been historically overlooked regarding STIs is that of older adults, despite many individuals remaining sexually active well into their older years. We investigated the reported prevalence and incidence of trichomoniasis in adults aged ≥45years in the United States using a systematic literature review.

Bma-LAD-2, an Intestinal Cell Adhesion Protein, as a Potential Therapeutic Target for Lymphatic Filariasis.

Lymphatic filariasis is a debilitating disease that afflicts over 70 million people worldwide. It is caused by the parasitic nematodes Wuchereria bancrofti, Brugia malayi, and Brugia timori. Despite substantial success, efforts to eliminate LF will likely require more time and resources than predicted.

SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence rates of children seeking medical care in Louisiana during the state stay at home order.

Serologic testing of residual blood samples from 812 children from a hospital in New Orleans, LA, between March and May 2020, demonstrated a SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence of 6.8% based on S and N protein IgG; Black and Hispanic children, and children living in zip codes with lower household incomes were over-represented.

Durability of Antibody Response and Frequency of SARS-CoV-2 Infection 6 Months after COVID-19 Vaccination in Healthcare Workers.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) antibodies decay but persist 6 months postvaccination; lower levels of neutralizing titers persist against Delta than wild-type virus. Of 227 vaccinated healthcare workers tested, only 2 experienced outpatient symptomatic breakthrough infections, despite 59/227 exhibiting serologic evidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection, defined as presence of nucleocapsid protein antibodies.

Prospective Assessment of Symptoms to Evaluate Asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 Infections in a Cohort of Health Care Workers.

Background: The frequency of asymptomatic severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections is unclear and may be influenced by how symptoms are evaluated. In this study, we sought to determine the frequency of asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infections in a prospective cohort of health care workers (HCWs).

Methods: A prospective cohort of HCWs, confirmed negative for SARS-CoV-2 exposure upon enrollment, were evaluated for SARS-CoV-2 infection by monthly analysis of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies as well as referral for polymerase chain reaction testing whenever they exhibited symptoms of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Costs and Prescribing Patterns of Anthelmintics in the United States Military: A Retrospective Analysis.

Background: Recent price increases in medications used to treat helminth infections have had demonstrated impacts on Medicaid and immigrant patient populations. Helminth infections are common within the US military; however, anthelmintic prescribing patterns and costs have not yet been investigated in this patient population.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of pharmaceutical data from the Military Health System Data Repository between fiscal years 2012 and 2019.

Adverse Effects and Antibody Titers in Response to the BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 Vaccine in a Prospective Study of Healthcare Workers.

Background: The relationship between postvaccination symptoms and strength of antibody responses is unclear. The goal of this study was to determine whether adverse effects caused by vaccination with the Pfizer/BioNTech BNT162b2 vaccine are associated with the magnitude of vaccine-induced antibody levels.

Methods: We conducted a single-center, observational cohort study consisting of generally healthy adult participants that were not severely immunocompromised, had no history of coronavirus disease 2019, and were seronegative for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) spike protein before vaccination.

Adverse effects and antibody titers in response to the BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 vaccine in a prospective study of healthcare workers.

Background: mRNA COVID-19 vaccines are playing a key role in controlling the COVID-19 pandemic. The relationship between post-vaccination symptoms and strength of antibody responses is unclear.

Objective: To determine whether adverse effects caused by vaccination with the Pfizer/BioNTech BNT162b2 vaccine are associated with the magnitude of vaccine-induced antibody levels.

Prospective Assessment of SARS-CoV-2 Seroconversion (PASS) study: an observational cohort study of SARS-CoV-2 infection and vaccination in healthcare workers.

Background: SARS-CoV-2 is a recently emerged pandemic coronavirus (CoV) capable of causing severe respiratory illness. However, a significant number of infected people present as asymptomatic or pauci-symptomatic. In this prospective assessment of at-risk healthcare workers (HCWs) we seek to determine whether pre-existing antibody or T cell responses to previous seasonal human coronavirus (HCoV) infections affect immunological or clinical responses to SARS-CoV-2 infection or vaccination.

Helminth infections in the US military: from strongyloidiasis to schistosomiasis.

Background: Helminth infections caused by parasitic worms, including nematodes (roundworms), cestodes (tapeworms) and trematodes (flukes), can cause chronic symptoms and serious clinical outcomes if left untreated. The US military frequently conducts activities in helminth-endemic regions, particularly Africa, the Middle East and Southeast Asia. However, the military does not currently screen for these infections, and to date, no comprehensive surveillance studies have been completed to assess the frequency of helminth diagnoses in the military personnel and their families.

Method comparison studies of telomere length measurement using qPCR approaches: A critical appraisal of the literature.

Use of telomere length (TL) as a biomarker for various environmental exposures and diseases has increased in recent years. Various methods have been developed to measure telomere length. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based methods remain wide-spread for population-based studies due to the high-throughput capability.

Impact of Anthelmintic Price Increases on Practice Patterns of Healthcare Providers Caring for Immigrant and Refugee Populations in the United States.

In the United States, prices of long-established, generic anthelmintic medications have markedly risen. In the past decade, albendazole and mebendazole have increased in price by > 8,000%, whereas praziquantel has increased by > 500%. To determine the effect of these price increases on the practice patterns of healthcare providers, we conducted a cross-sectional electronic survey of clinics in the United States that primarily care for immigrant and refugee patient populations.

Intestinal UDP-glucuronosyltransferase as a potential target for the treatment and prevention of lymphatic filariasis.

Lymphatic filariasis (LF), a morbid disease caused by the tissue-invasive nematodes Wuchereria bancrofti, Brugia malayi, and Brugia timori, affects millions of people worldwide. Global eradication efforts have significantly reduced worldwide prevalence, but complete elimination has been hampered by limitations of current anti-filarial drugs and the lack of a vaccine. The goal of this study was to evaluate B.

Engineered ovalbumin-expressing regulatory T cells protect against anaphylaxis in ovalbumin-sensitized mice.

Allergy is a major public health concern, the main treatment for which is symptomatic relief with anti-inflammatory drugs. A key clinical challenge is to induce specific tolerance in order to control allergen-specific memory B and T cells, and specifically block effector cell responses. Our lab recently developed antigen-specific regulatory T-cell (Treg) therapies as a treatment for adverse responses.

Rush desensitization with a single antigen induces subclinical activation of mast cells and protects against bystander challenge in dually sensitized mice.

Background: Rush desensitization can provide short-term tolerance to individuals who are allergic to certain medications in instances where other therapeutic interventions are limited. While rush desensitization (DS) is typically successful in preventing adverse type I hypersensitivity reactions, the mechanism of allergic protection remains unknown. Given the rise in prevalence of individuals displaying multiple allergies, understanding the impact of rush DS on "bystander" allergens, or additional allergens to which an individual is sensitized, could help inform clinical recommendations.