Vaccine-induced SARS-CoV-2 antibody response: the comparability of S1-specific binding assays depends on epitope and isotype discrimination.

Background: Quantification of the SARS-CoV-2-specific immune response by serological immunoassays is critical for the management of the COVID-19 pandemic. In particular, neutralizing antibody titers to the viral spike (S) protein have been proposed as a correlate of protection (CoP). The WHO established the First International Standard (WHO IS) for anti-SARS-CoV-2 immunoglobulin (Ig) (NIBSC 20/136) to harmonize binding assays with the same antigen specificity by assigning the same unitage in binding antibody units (BAU)/ml.

Clinical performance evaluation of a SARS-CoV-2 Rapid Antibody Test for determining past exposure to SARS-CoV-2.

Objectives: Due to the number of asymptomatic infections and limited access to high-performance antibody tests, the true prevalence and seropositivity of SARS-CoV-2 infection remains unknown. To fill this gap, the clinical performance of a point-of-care SARS-CoV-2 Rapid Antibody Assay, a chromatographic immunoassay for detecting IgM/IgG antibodies, in near patient settings was assessed.

Methods: Forty-two anti-SARS-Cov-2 positive (CoV+) and 92 anti-SARS-Cov-2 negative (CoV-) leftover samples from before December 2019 were assessed; the Elecsys® Anti-SARS-CoV-2 was used as the reference assay.

Thrombocytopenia after implantation of the Perceval S aortic bioprosthesis.

Objective: The Perceval S bioprosthesis (LivaNova PLC, London, United Kingdom) is based on the Freedom Solo aortic bioprosthesis (LivaNova PLC), which has been reported to be associated with perioperative thrombocytopenia. We compared platelet counts after aortic valve replacement with the Perceval S with those with other aortic valve bioprostheses.

Methods: A total of 87 patients receiving aortic valve replacement were included in this retrospective study; 25 patients received the Perceval S, 23 patients received the Labcor TLPB-A (Labcor, Belo Horizonte, Brazil), and 39 patients received the Hancock II bioprosthesis (Medtronic, Minneapolis, Minn).

[Diabetic foot syndrome - pathogenesis, diagnosis, therapy and prevention].

The diabetic foot syndrome (DFS) is a complication of diabetes mellitus, implying a serious impairment in quality of life for patients in advanced stages of the disease. Early detection of risks and stage-appropriate intervention are essential to increase the chances of foot salvage. The pathophysiological conditions for the formation of a DFS and treatment guidelines are currently underestimated.