Comparison of five Anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody assays across three doses of BNT162b2 reveals insufficient standardization of SARS-CoV-2 serology.

Objectives: To investigate the comparability of WHO standard referenced commercial SARS-CoV-2 antibody tests over three doses of BNT162b2 vaccine and up to 14 months.

Methods: 114 subjects (without previous SARS-CoV-2 infection or immunosuppressive medication) vaccinated with three doses of BNT162b2 were included in this study. Antibody levels were quantified 3 weeks after the first dose, 5-6 weeks and 7 months after the second dose, and 4-5 weeks and 4 months after the third dose using the Roche Elecsys SARS-CoV-2 S, the Abbott SARS-CoV-2 IgG II Quant, the DiaSorin LIAISON SARS-CoV-2 TrimericS IgG, the GenScript cPASS sVNT and the TECO sVNT assays.

Preanalytical stability of SARS-CoV-2 anti-nucleocapsid antibodies.

Objectives: Anti-nucleocapsid (NC) antibodies are produced in response to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Therefore, they are well suited for the detection of a previous infection. Especially in the case of seroprevalence studies or during the evaluation of a novel diagnostic test, samples have been stored at <-70 °C (short- and long-term) or 2-10 °C (short-term) before analysis.

Increasing test specificity without impairing sensitivity: lessons learned from SARS-CoV-2 serology.

Background: Serological tests are widely used in various medical disciplines for diagnostic and monitoring purposes. Unfortunately, the sensitivity and specificity of test systems are often poor, leaving room for false-positive and false-negative results. However, conventional methods were used to increase specificity and decrease sensitivity and vice versa.

Identification of apple cultivars hypoallergenic for birch pollen-allergic individuals by a multidisciplinary in vitro and in vivo approach.

Background: Birch pollen-related apple allergy is the most frequent IgE-mediated food allergy in Central-Northern Europe with Mal d 1 as major allergen. Its concentration in apples varies with the cultivar and storage time. Year-round appealing, hypoallergenic cultivars still are needed to satisfy the nutritional needs of affected individuals.

The Comparability of Anti-Spike SARS-CoV-2 Antibody Tests is Time-Dependent: a Prospective Observational Study.

Various commercial anti-Spike SARS-CoV-2 antibody tests are used for studies and in clinical settings after vaccination. An international standard for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies has been established to achieve comparability of such tests, allowing conversions to BAU/mL. This study aimed to investigate the comparability of antibody tests regarding the timing of blood collection after vaccination.

Delays during PBMC isolation have a moderate effect on yield, but severly compromise cell viability.

Objectives: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) are a versatile material for clinical routine as well as for research projects. However, their isolation via density gradient centrifugation is still time-consuming. When samples are taken beyond usual laboratory handling times, it may sometimes be necessary to pause the isolation process.

Serum antibody response to BNT162b2 after natural SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Background: There is preliminary evidence that individuals with previous SARS-CoV-2 infections exhibit a more pronounced antibody response. However, these assumptions have not yet been supported by data obtained through various CE-marked tests. This study aimed to close this gap.

Initial SARS-CoV-2 vaccination response can predict booster response for BNT162b2 but not for AZD1222.

Objective: To determine whether severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) antibody levels after the first dose of vaccine can predict the final antibody response, and whether this is dependent on the vaccine type.

Methods: Sixty-nine recipients of BNT162b2 (Pfizer/BioNTech) and 55 recipients of AZD1222 (AstraZeneca), without previous infection or immunosuppressive medication, were included in this study. Antibody levels were quantified 3 weeks after the first dose [directly before boostering in the case of AZD1222 (11 weeks after the first dose)] and 3 weeks after the second dose using the Roche Elecsys SARS-CoV-2 S total antibody assay.

Anti-Spike Protein Assays to Determine SARS-CoV-2 Antibody Levels: a Head-to-Head Comparison of Five Quantitative Assays.

Reliable quantification of the antibody response to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is highly relevant, e.g., for identifying possible vaccine failure and estimating the time of protection.

Basal myokine levels are associated with quality of life and depressed mood in older adults.

In an aging society, late-life depression has become an increasing problem. There is evidence that physical activity ameliorates depressive symptoms and increases the quality of life (QoL). However, the underlying mechanisms are still poorly understood.

Characterization of the allergic T-cell response to Pru p 3, the nonspecific lipid transfer protein in peach.

Background: Pru p 3, the nonspecific lipid transfer protein from peach, is an important plant food allergen that frequently induces systemic reactions.

Objective: We sought to analyze the allergic T-cell response to Pru p 3.

Methods: PBMCs from Italian and Spanish patients with peach allergy were stimulated with purified natural Pru p 3.

Sublingual immunotherapy induces IL-10-producing T regulatory cells, allergen-specific T-cell tolerance, and immune deviation.

Background: The immunologic mechanisms underlying sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) are still unclear, particularly the role of regulatory T cells.

Objective: We sought to characterize allergen-specific T-cell responses during successful birch pollen SLIT.

Methods: Proliferation of PBMCs and PBMCs depleted of CD25(+) cells obtained from 9 patients before, after 4 weeks, and after 52 weeks of SLIT was assessed in response to the major birch pollen allergen Bet v 1, the homologous apple allergen Mal d 1, or tetanus toxoid.

Successful sublingual immunotherapy with birch pollen has limited effects on concomitant food allergy to apple and the immune response to the Bet v 1 homolog Mal d 1.

Background: Cross-reactivity between the major birch pollen allergen, Bet v 1, and the apple protein, Mal d 1, frequently causes food allergy.

Objective: To investigate the effects of successful sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) with birch pollen extract on apple allergy and the immune response to Bet v 1 and Mal d 1.

Methods: Before and after 1 year of SLIT, Bet v 1-sensitized patients with oral allergy syndrome to apple underwent nasal challenges with birch pollen and double-blind placebo-controlled food challenges with apple.

Bet v 1142-156 is the dominant T-cell epitope of the major birch pollen allergen and important for cross-reactivity with Bet v 1-related food allergens.

Background: Individuals with birch pollen allergy frequently experience hypersensitivity reactions to certain foods, primarily because of IgE antibodies specific for the major birch pollen allergen Bet v 1 that cross-react with homologous food allergens.

Objective: We sought to characterize the major T-cell epitopes of Bet v 1 and to investigate their involvement in the cellular cross-reactivity with homologous food allergens.

Methods: T-cell epitope mapping of Bet v 1 was performed by testing Bet v 1-specific T-cell lines derived from 57 individuals with birch pollen allergy, with overlapping peptides representing the entire allergen.

Bet v 1, the major birch pollen allergen, initiates sensitization to Api g 1, the major allergen in celery: evidence at the T cell level.

Due to IgE cross-reactivity, birch pollen-allergic individuals frequently develop type I hypersensitivity reactions to celery tuber. We evaluated the T cell response to the major allergen in celeriac, Api g 1, and the cellular cross-reactivity with its homologous major allergen in birch pollen, Bet v 1. Api g 1-specific T cell lines (TCL) and clones (TCC) were established from peripheral blood mononuclear cells of allergic patients.