Publications by authors named "Anna Breslavsky"
COVID-19 vaccination and acute infection result in cellular and humoral immune responses with various degrees of protection. While most studies have addressed the difference in humoral response between vaccination and acute infection, studies on the cellular response are scarce. We aimed to evaluate differences in immune response among vaccinated patients versus those who had recovered from COVID-19.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- Since late 2021, the Omicron variant (B.1.1.529) of SARS-CoV-2 has become the dominant strain globally, replacing Delta (B.1.617.2), which had worse outcomes despite similar transmission rates.
- A study of patients on maintenance hemodialysis showed that those infected with Delta had significantly more severe COVID-19 cases and higher mortality rates (19.2%) compared to those infected with Omicron (0%).
- Even though Omicron infections were generally milder, there was still a notable 90-day mortality rate among affected patients, highlighting the ongoing risks associated with COVID-19 for those with pre-existing conditions.
Article Synopsis
- - The study explores the concept of remission for severe asthma patients on biological treatments, aiming to establish clearer criteria for successful remission which typically includes reduced steroid use, fewer exacerbations, minimal symptoms, and improved lung function.
- - In a cross-sectional analysis of 39 adults with severe asthma, the research found that a significant percentage met some remission criteria, but there was considerable variability in outcomes depending on the specific criteria used.
- - The findings suggest that while achieving clinical remission is possible for patients using biological therapies, there is a need for more consistent and clearly defined criteria to effectively measure and compare remission across different patients.
Background: Waning immunity after the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccinations creates the constant need of boosters. Predicting individual responses to booster vaccines can help in its timely administration. We hypothesized that the humoral response to the first two doses of the BNT162b2 vaccine can predict the response to the booster vaccine.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMedical follow-up of symptomatic patients after acute Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) results in major burdens on patients and healthcare systems. The value of serological markers as part of this follow-up remains undetermined. We aimed to evaluate the clinical implications of serological markers for follow-up of acute COVID-19.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Respiratory sequela after acute COVID-19 is common and requires medical follow-up. Considering its vast economic impact, there is still no consensus regarding the mid-term follow-up plan after recovery.
Objective: To evaluate the necessity of a close pulmonary follow-up schedule after acute COVID-19 and its related investigations.
Background: A third dose of the BNT162b2 SARS-CoV-2 vaccine leads to a significant increase in antibody levels, however, concerns regarding the long-term persistence of this response exist. We assessed the humoral response for one year following vaccination.
Methods: A prospective study among immunocompetent healthcare workers (HCW) who received three doses of BNT162b2.
Background: SARS-CoV-2 is a novel human pathogen causing Coronavirus Disease 2019 that has caused widespread global mortality and morbidity. Since health workers in Israel were among the first to be vaccinated, we had a unique opportunity to investigate the post-vaccination level of IgG anti-S levels antibodies (Abs) and their dynamics by demographic and professional factors. Methods: Prospective Serological Survey during December 2020−August 2021 at Barzilai Medical Center among 458 health care workers (HCW) followed for 6 months after the second BNT162b2 vaccine dose.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Lung percutaneous needle biopsy (PNB) is routinely used to diagnose lung cancer. The most prevalent complications of PNB are pneumothorax and bleeding. Differences in characteristics of medical procedures between rural and urban hospitals are well known.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIntroduction: The quality of tissue acquisition during endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) is a major determinant of the diagnostic yield of the procedure. In the tissue button (TB) technique, the retrieved cellular specimen is fixed in ethanol and subsequently scraped from slide using surgical blade into formaldehyde and processed like ordinary tissue biopsy thus potentially increasing its diagnostic value.
Objectives: To retrospectively evaluate the diagnostic yield of a TB technique in patients undergoing EBUS-TBNA for various malignant and benign conditions.