Clinical and Laboratory Parameters Associated with PICU Admission in Children with Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome Associated with COVID-19 (MIS-C).

Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in children (MIS-C) is a rare but severe post-infectious complication of COVID-19 that often requires admission to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU). The present study aimed to compare the demographic, clinical, and laboratory characteristics of children diagnosed with MIS-C who were admitted to the PICU and those who did not require PICU admission. Children diagnosed with MIS-C from September 2020 to April 2023 were included in this case-control study.

Genotyping and Molecular Characterization of VP6 and NSP4 Genes of Unusual Rotavirus Group A Isolated from Children with Acute Gastroenteritis.

Group A rotavirus (RVA), which causes acute gastroenteritis (AGE) in children worldwide, is categorized mainly based on VP7 (genotype G) and VP4 (genotype P) genes. Genotypes that circulate at <1% are considered unusual. Important genes also include VP6 (genotype I) and NSP4 (genotype E).

SARS-CoV-2 Seroepidemiology and Antibody Levels in Children during BA.5 Predominance Period.

This is a SARS-CoV-2 seroepidemiological study in a pediatric population (0-16 years) during the BA.5 Omicron predominance period in the Athens metropolitan area. Serum samples were tested for SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid antibodies (Abs-N), representing natural infection during three periods of BA.

Comparative Study of T-Cell Repertoires after COVID-19 Immunization with Homologous or Heterologous Vaccine Booster.

Sequencing of the T-cell repertoire is an innovative method to assess the cellular responses after immunization. The purpose of this study was to compare T-cell repertoires after COVID-19 immunization with homologous (HOB) and heterologous (HEB) boosting. The study included 20 participants with a median age of 27.

The Soluble Urokinase Plasminogen Activator Receptor as a Severity Biomarker in Children With Acute COVID-19 or Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome.

Background: Elevated soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR) has been associated with a poor prognosis in serious infections. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical value of suPAR in children with acute coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) or multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS-C).

Methods: Serum suPAR was measured using the suPARnostic AUTO Flex enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in hospitalized children with COVID-19, MIS-C, bacterial pneumonia, and healthy controls.

Kinetics of SARS-CoV-2 Spike Antibodies after the Second and Third Dose of the BNT162b2 COVID-19 Vaccine and Association with Epidemiological Characteristics and Breakthrough Infection in a Cohort Study of Healthcare Workers.

To prospectively study the kinetics of immune responses after immunization with the BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 vaccine and their association with epidemiological parameters and breakthrough infection (BI), we measured total (TAbs-WT) and neutralizing antibodies against wild-type (NAbs-WT) and Omicron (NAbs-O) SARS-CoV-2 spike proteins in healthcare workers (HCWs) after the second (4 and 8 months) and third dose (1 and 8 months). Vaccinated HCWs ( = 486), with a median age (IQR) of 49 years (38-56), were included in this prospective cohort study. BI was observed 4 and 8 months after the second dose in 8/486 (1.

Evaluation of T cell responses with the QuantiFERON SARS-CoV-2 assay in individuals with 3 doses of BNT162b2 vaccine, SARS-CoV-2 infection, or hybrid immunity.

Cellular immunity after SARS-CoV-2 infection or immunization may be important for long-lasting protection against severe COVID-19 disease. We investigated cellular immune responses after SARS-CoV-2 infection and/or vaccination with an interferon-γ release assay (QuantiFERON, QFN), in parallel, with humoral immunity assessment. We recruited 41 participants: unvaccinated convalescent children and adults and vaccinated uninfected or vaccinated convalescent adults.

Comparison of a rapid fluorescence immunochromatographic test with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for measurement of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein antibody neutralizing activity.

Background: SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein Receptor Binding Domain neutralizing antibodies (NAbs-RBD) inhibit the viral binding to angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptors. We compared an ELISA and a fluorescence immunochromatography (FIC) method in NAbs-RBD detection after COVID-19 immunization.

Method: Serum samples from healthcare workers (HCWs) vaccinated with BNT162b2 were collected one and four months after the second dose.

Immunology of Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome after COVID-19 in Children: A Review of the Current Evidence.

Immune responses following severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in children are still under investigation. Even though coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is usually mild in the pediatric population, some children exhibit severe clinical manifestations, require hospitalization, or develop the most severe condition: a multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection. The activated innate, humoral and T-cell-mediated immunological pathways that lead certain pediatric populations to present with MIS-C or remain asymptomatic after SARS-CoV-2 infection are yet to be established.

Rotavirus epidemiology and genotype distribution in hospitalised children, Greece, 2008 to 2020: A prospective multicentre study.

BackgroundTwo rotavirus (RV) vaccines were licensed in Greece in late 2006 and included in the national immunisation programme in 2012.AimTo study the epidemiology and genotype distribution of RV in children during the post-vaccination period and assess the impact of increased vaccination coverage.MethodsIn a prospective multicentre hospital-based study, hospitalised children (≤ 16 years) with an RV-positive faecal sample were recruited.

Post‑COVID‑19 syndrome in children (Review).

The persistence of symptoms for a long time after severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection is now familiar as post-COVID syndrome (PCS). To the best of our knowledge, the risk of long-term clinical outcomes in children after SARS-CoV-2 infection is still unclear. Unlike in adults, current evidence suggests a lower prevalence of persistent symptoms in children.

Whole Exome Sequencing Points towards a Multi-Gene Synergistic Action in the Pathogenesis of Congenital Combined Pituitary Hormone Deficiency.

Combined pituitary hormone deficiency (CPHD) is characterized by deficiency of growth hormone and at least one other pituitary hormone. Pathogenic variants in more than 30 genes expressed during the development of the head, hypothalamus, and/or pituitary have been identified so far to cause genetic forms of CPHD. However, the etiology of around 85% of the cases remains unknown.

Time of Day of BNT162b2 COVID-19 Immunization Affects Total SARS-CoV-2 Antibody Levels but Not Neutralizing Activity.

To examine whether immunization time affects the immune responses elicited by the BNT162b2 COVID-19 vaccine, we investigated the possible association between total SARS-CoV-2 spike protein receptor binding domain (TAbs-RBD) and neutralizing (NAbs-RBD) antibodies with vaccination time. A cohort of 468 healthcare workers (mean age [±SD]: 48 [±13] years), were included in the study. One month after the second dose, healthcare workers who were vaccinated between 1500-2200 h had higher TAbs-RBD compared to 0700-1100 h and 1100-1500 h ( = 0.

Immunogenicity of the COVID-19 BNT162b2 vaccine in adolescents and young adults with cystic fibrosis.

Data regarding immunogenicity of SARS-CoV-2 BNT162b2 vaccine in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients are limited. We prospectively measured total (TAbs-RBD; U/ml) and neutralizing (NAbs-RBD; %) antibodies of SARS-CoV-2 spike-receptor binding domain (RBD) protein in 33 CF patients and 66 healthy controls with median age (IQR): 19.6 (17.

Seroepidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 in pediatric population during a 16-month period prior to vaccination.

Limited prospective serosurveillance data in children regarding severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection have been reported. We prospectively investigated SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity in children during a 16-month period of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, including the four waves of the pandemic, before SARS-CoV-2 adolescents' vaccination. Serum samples from children admitted to the major tertiary Greek pediatric hospital for any cause, except for COVID-19 infection, were randomly collected from 05/2020 to 08/2021.

Association of clinical and epidemiological characteristics with COVID-19 BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine short-term adverse reactions in healthcare workers.

Introduction: The aim of the study was to investigate the prevalence and severity of adverse reactions (ARs) after immunization of healthcare workers (HCWs) with BNT162b2 vaccine and to associate them with clinical and epidemiological characteristics.

Methods: A form containing demographic and clinical data as well as ARs after both doses of the vaccine was completed, and statistical association analysis was performed.

Results: A total of 502 HCWs (females 78.

SARS-CoV-2 variants and effectiveness of vaccines: a review of current evidence.

The SARS-CoV-2 virus is rapidly evolving via mutagenesis, lengthening the pandemic, and threatening the public health. Until August 2021, 12 variants of SARS-CoV-2 named as variants of concern (VOC; Alpha to Delta) or variants of interest (VOI; Epsilon to Mu), with significant impact on transmissibility, morbidity, possible reinfection and mortality, have been identified. The VOC Delta (B.

Immune response to SARS-CoV-2 in children: A review of the current knowledge.

Host immune responses to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), especially in children, are still under investigation. Children with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) constitute a significant study group of immune responses as they rarely present with severe clinical manifestations, require hospitalization, or develop complications such as multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection. The deciphering of children's immune responses during COVID-19 infection will provide information about the protective mechanisms, while new potential targets for future therapies are likely to be revealed.

Association of total and neutralizing SARS-CoV-2 spike -receptor binding domain antibodies with epidemiological and clinical characteristics after immunization with the 1 and 2 doses of the BNT162b2 vaccine.

Background: Data regarding the association of antibody levels elicited after immunization with the BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 vaccine with epidemiological and clinical parameters are limited.

Methods: We prospectively measured the total (TAbs-RBD) and the neutralizing antibodies (NAbs-RBD) against the receptor binding domain (RBD) of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein in a cohort of 268 Healthcare workers before immunization, 20 days after the 1 dose and 30 days after the 2 dose of the BNT162b2 vaccine. A statistical analysis for possible association of antibodies' levels with epidemiological and clinical parameters was performed.