Long term persistence of SARS-CoV-2 humoral response in multiple sclerosis subjects.

Background & Objectives: The persistence of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV)-2 pandemic, partly due to the appearance of highly infectious variants, has made booster vaccinations necessary for vulnerable groups. Here, we present data regarding the decline of the SARS-CoV-2 BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine-induced humoral immune response in a monocentric cohort of MS patients.

Methods: 96 MS patients undergoing eight different DMTs, all without previous SARS-CoV-2 infection, were evaluated for anti-Spike IgG levels, 21 days (T1) and 5-6 months (T2) after the second SARS-CoV-2 BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine dose.

Interferon Beta-1a treatment promotes SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccine response in multiple sclerosis subjects.

Background: Several concerns exist on the immunogenicity of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines in multiple sclerosis (MS) subjects due to their immunomodulating disease modifying therapies (DMTs). Here we report a comparison of the humoral response to BNT162b2-mRNA coronavirus (COVID)-19 vaccine and the immunological phenotype in a cohort of 125 MS subjects undergoing different DMTs, with no history of SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Methods: We collected serum and blood samples at the first day of vaccine (T0) and 21 days after the second vaccine dose (T1) from 125 MS subjects, undergoing eight different DMTs.

Risk Factors for Varicella Susceptibility Among Refugees to Toronto, Canada.

Several outbreaks of varicella have occurred among refugees. We aimed to estimate the prevalence of varicella susceptibility among refugees, and identify risk factors for varicella susceptibility. All refugees rostered at Crossroads Clinic in Toronto, Canada in 2011-2014 were included in our study.

Health status of newly arrived refugees in Toronto, Ont: Part 2: chronic diseases.

Objective: To determine the prevalence of selected chronic diseases among newly arrived refugee patients and to explore associations with key demographic factors.

Design: Retrospective chart review.

Setting: Primary care clinic for refugee patients in Toronto, Ont.

Health status of newly arrived refugees in Toronto, Ont: Part 1: infectious diseases.

Objective: To determine the prevalence of selected infectious diseases among newly arrived refugee patients and whether there is variation by key demographic factors.

Design: Retrospective chart review.

Setting: Primary care clinic for refugee patients in Toronto, Ont.

Presence of FLT3 mutations does not impair stem cell mobilization and feasibility of autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation in acute myeloid leukemia.

Fetal liver tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3) mutations represent a powerful prognostic indicator in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Further, interaction between FLT3 and its ligand plays a role in normal hematopoiesis. Accordingly, FLT3 mutations may affect mobilization of peripheral blood stem cells (PBSCs) and feasibility of autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) in AML.