Efficacy of molnupiravir and interferon for the treatment of SARS-CoV-2 in golden Syrian hamster.

The mortality and hospitalization rate by COVID-19 dropped significantly currently, but its seasonal outbreaks make antiviral treatment still vital. The mortality and hospitazation rate by COVID-19 dropped significantly currently, but its seasonal ourbreaks make antiviral treatment still vital. In our study, syrian golden hamsters were treated with molnupiravir and interferons (IFNs) after SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Baseline Gut Microbiota Was Associated with Long-Term Immune Response at One Year Following Three Doses of BNT162b2.

Background: This study explored neutralizing IgG antibody levels against COVID-19 decline over time post-vaccination. We conducted this prospective cohort study to investigate the function of gut microbiota in the host immune response following three doses of BNT162b2.

Methods: Subjects who received three doses of BNT162b2 were recruited from three centers in Hong Kong.

Interplay between viral shedding, age, and symptoms on individual infectiousness of influenza cases in households.

Background: Understanding factors affecting the infectiousness of influenza cases is crucial for disease prevention and control. Viral shedding is expected to correlate with infectiousness of cases, but it is strongly associated with age and the presence of symptoms.

Methods: To elucidate this complex interplay, we analyze with an individual-based household transmission model a detailed household transmission study of influenza with 442 households and 1710 individuals from 2008 to 2017 in Hong Kong, to characterize the household transmission dynamics and identify factors affecting transmissions.

The impact of vaccine type and booster dose on the magnitude and breadth of SARS-CoV-2-specific systemic and mucosal antibodies among COVID-19 vaccine recipients.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a major impact on global health and economy, which was significantly mitigated by the availability of COVID-19 vaccines. The levels of systemic and mucosal antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 correlated with protection. However, there is limited data on how vaccine type and booster doses affect mucosal antibody response, and how the breadth of mucosal and systemic antibodies compares.

Effect of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease on BNT162b2 immunogenicity against the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 omicron variant.

Background And Aim: We aimed to investigate the effect of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) on three-dose BNT162b2 immunogenicity to the omicron variant.

Methods: Adult recipients of three doses of BNT162b2 were prospectively recruited between May and December 2021. The serology of the neutralizing antibody by live virus microneutralization (vMN) to the omicron variant was measured at baseline, day 180, and day 360 after the first dose.

Satisfaction with government recommended pre-procedural mouth rinses in the mitigation of Covid-19 in Hong Kong SAR: A triple blind randomized controlled clinical trial.

Objective: To evaluate satisfaction and acceptability with three pre-procedural mouthrinses recommended by the Government of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Material And Methods: A triple-blind parallel-arm randomised controlled clinical trial was conducted. Following eligibility assessment, participants were block-randomised to the three intervention pre-procedural mouthrinses groups: Povidone-iodine, Hydrogen Peroxide and Chlorhexidine Digluconate.

Association between Gut Microbiota Composition and Long-Term Vaccine Immunogenicity following Three Doses of CoronaVac.

Background: Neutralizing antibody level wanes with time after COVID-19 vaccination. We aimed to study the relationship between baseline gut microbiota and immunogenicity after three doses of CoronaVac.

Methods: This was a prospective cohort study recruiting three-dose CoronaVac recipients from two centers in Hong Kong.

Interaction and antiviral treatment of coinfection between SARS-CoV-2 and influenza in vitro.

Background: The pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has lasted for three years. Coinfection with seasonal influenza may occur resulting in more severe diseases. The interaction between these two viruses for infection and the effect of antiviral treatment remains unclear.

Decreased risk of non-influenza respiratory infection after influenza B virus infection in children.

Previous studies suggest that influenza virus infection may provide temporary non-specific immunity and hence lower the risk of non-influenza respiratory virus infection. In a randomized controlled trial of influenza vaccination, 1 330 children were followed-up in 2009-2011. Respiratory swabs were collected when they reported acute respiratory illness and tested against influenza and other respiratory viruses.

The Predictive Value of Gut Microbiota Composition for Sustained Immunogenicity following Two Doses of CoronaVac.

CoronaVac immunogenicity decreases with time, and we aimed to investigate whether gut microbiota associate with longer-term immunogenicity of CoronaVac. This was a prospective cohort study recruiting two-dose CoronaVac recipients from three centres in Hong Kong. We collected blood samples at baseline and day 180 after the first dose and used chemiluminescence immunoassay to test for neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) against the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of wild-type SARS-CoV-2 virus.

Autoantibodies against angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) after COVID-19 infection or vaccination.

Autoantibodies against angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) are frequently reported in patients during coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) with evidence for a pathogenic role in severe infection. However, little is known of the prevalence or clinical significance of ACE2 autoantibodies in late convalescence or following COVID-19 vaccination. In this study, we measured ACE2 autoantibodies in a cohort of 182 COVID-19 convalescent patients, 186 COVID-19 vaccine recipients, and 43 adolescents with post-mRNA vaccine myopericarditis using two ACE2 enzymatic immunoassays (EIAs).

Determination of seroprevalence and kinetics of humoral response using mpox virus A29 protein.

Background: Mpox virus (MPXV), previously known as monkeypox virus, has spread globally in 2022. An accurate and convenient antibody test is essential for the determination of seroprevalence and for studying immune response after natural infection or vaccination. Most seroprevalence or vaccine studies used either live MPXV (or vaccinia virus [VACV]) or inactivated MPXV (or VACV) culture lysate for serological assays, but MPXV culture can only be performed in biosafety level 3 (BSL-3) facilities.

A Phase 1, Randomized, Double-Blinded, Placebo-Controlled and Dose-Escalation Study to Evaluate the Safety and Immunogenicity of the Intranasal DelNS1-nCoV-RBD LAIV for COVID-19 in Healthy Adults.

An intranasal COVID-19 vaccine, DelNS1-based RBD vaccines composed of H1N1 subtype (DelNS1-nCoV-RBD LAIV) was developed to evaluate the safety and immunogenicity in healthy adults. We conducted a phase 1 randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study on healthy participants, age 18-55 and COVID-19 vaccines naïve, between March and September 2021. Participants were enrolled and randomly assigned (2:2:1) into the low and high dose DelNS1-nCoV-RBD LAIV manufactured in chicken embryonated eggs or placebo groups.

Effect of Moderate to Severe Hepatic Steatosis on Vaccine Immunogenicity against Wild-Type and Mutant Virus and COVID-19 Infection among BNT162b2 Recipients.

Background: We aimed to investigate the effect of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) on BNT162b2 immunogenicity against wild-type SARS-CoV-2 and variants and infection outcome, as data are lacking.

Methods: Recipients of two doses of BNT162b2 were prospectively recruited. Outcomes of interest were seroconversion of neutralizing antibody by live virus microneutralization (vMN) to SARS-CoV-2 strains (wild-type, delta and omicron variants) at day 21, 56 and 180 after first dose.

Effect of vaccine booster, vaccine type, and hybrid immunity on humoral and cellular immunity against SARS-CoV-2 ancestral strain and Omicron variant sublineages BA.2 and BA.5 among older adults with comorbidities: a cross sectional study.

Background: Vaccination reduces COVID-19-related hospitalization among older adults. However, how SARS-CoV-2 infection and vaccine regimens affect vaccine-elicited immunity remain unclear.

Methods: This is a cross-sectional study recruiting adults aged ≥70 years with comorbidities in Hong Kong.

Comparing the B and T cell-mediated immune responses in patients with type 2 diabetes receiving mRNA or inactivated COVID-19 vaccines.

Acquiring protective immunity through vaccination is essential, especially for patients with type 2 diabetes who are vulnerable for adverse clinical outcomes during coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection. Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is associated with immune dysfunction. Here, we evaluated the impact of T2D on the immunological responses induced by mRNA (BNT162b2) and inactivated (CoronaVac) vaccines, the two most commonly used COVID-19 vaccines.

A molecularly engineered, broad-spectrum anti-coronavirus lectin inhibits SARS-CoV-2 and MERS-CoV infection in vivo.

"Pan-coronavirus" antivirals targeting conserved viral components can be designed. Here, we show that the rationally engineered H84T-banana lectin (H84T-BanLec), which specifically recognizes high mannose found on viral proteins but seldom on healthy human cells, potently inhibits Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) (including Omicron), and other human-pathogenic coronaviruses at nanomolar concentrations. H84T-BanLec protects against MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 infection in vivo.

Association between Recent Usage of Antibiotics and Immunogenicity within Six Months after COVID-19 Vaccination.

Gut microbiota can be associated with COVID-19 vaccine immunogenicity. We investigated whether recent antibiotic use influences BNT162b2 vaccine immunogenicity. BNT162b2 recipients from three centers were prospectively recruited.