Publications by authors named "Tan Seow Yen"

Due to the paucity of longitudinal molecular studies of COVID-19, particularly those covering the early stages of infection (Days 1-8 symptom onset), our understanding of host response over the disease course is limited. We perform longitudinal single cell RNA-seq on 286 blood samples from 108 age- and sex-matched COVID-19 patients, including 73 with early samples. We examine discrete cell subtypes and continuous cell states longitudinally, and we identify upregulation of type I IFN-stimulated genes (ISGs) as the predominant early signature of subsequent worsening of symptoms, which we validate in an independent cohort and corroborate by plasma markers.

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Long-term complications from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are concerning, as survivors can develop subclinical multiorgan dysfunction. It is unknown if such complications are due to prolonged inflammation, and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccination may reduce sequela. We conducted a prospective longitudinal study on hospitalized patients over 24 months.

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Introduction: COVID-19 has a wide disease spectrum ranging from asymptomatic to severe. While humoral immune responses are critical in preventing infection, the immune mechanisms leading to severe disease, and the identification of biomarkers of disease progression and/or resolution of the infection remains to be determined.

Methods: Plasma samples were obtained from infections during the initial wave of ancestral wildtype SARS-CoV-2 and from vaccine breakthrough infections during the wave of Delta variant, up to six months post infection.

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Article Synopsis
  • The study addresses the rising global incidence of Gram-negative bacteraemia and explores whether patients can safely switch from intravenous (IV) to oral antibiotics after a positive clinical response, reducing healthcare costs and improving quality of life.
  • Conducted as a multicenter, randomized controlled trial, the research involves adult inpatients with uncomplicated Gram-negative bacteraemia, comparing immediate oral antibiotic therapy to continued IV treatment.
  • The primary goal is to evaluate 30-day all-cause mortality rates, while secondary outcomes focus on healthcare costs, patient quality of life, and overall effectiveness of treatment options.
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Article Synopsis
  • The Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2, detected in November 2021, has numerous mutations in its spike protein, allowing it to significantly evade neutralizing antibodies from previous infections or vaccinations.
  • A study used a high-resolution 16-plex assay to test neutralization abilities against various SARS-CoV-2 variants and found that Omicron and other variants showed a marked reduction in neutralization compared to the original virus.
  • Notably, genetically distant sarbecoviruses from bats and pangolins displayed less ability to escape neutralization compared to Omicron, highlighting the impact of human immune responses on the virus's evolution.
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We report our institution's experience of detecting a staff member who was infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 while he was asymptomatic, as part of a rostered routine testing program, and how the institution was able to undertake measures to curb the spread, hence reducing the impact on the daily operations of our institution.

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Severe SARS-CoV-2 infection can trigger uncontrolled innate and adaptive immune responses, which are commonly associated with lymphopenia and increased neutrophil counts. However, whether the immune abnormalities observed in mild to severely infected patients persist into convalescence remains unclear. Herein, comparisons were drawn between the immune responses of COVID-19 infected and convalescent adults.

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Objectives: Highly effective vaccines against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) have been developed but variants of concerns are worrisome, especially B.1.617.

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A significant proportion of COVID-19 patients will progress to critical illness requiring invasive mechanical ventilation. This accentuates the need for a therapy that can reduce the severity of COVID-19. Clinical trials have shown the effectiveness of remdesivir in shortening recovery time and decreasing progression to respiratory failure and mechanical ventilation.

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Background: The complications and sequelae of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and their effect on long-term health are unclear, and the trajectory of associated immune dysregulation is poorly understood.

Methods: We conducted a prospective longitudinal multicenter cohort study at 4 public hospitals in Singapore. Patients with COVID-19 were monitored for a median of 6 months after recovery from acute infection.

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The immune responses and mechanisms limiting symptom progression in asymptomatic cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection remain unclear. We comprehensively characterized transcriptomic profiles, cytokine responses, neutralization capacity of antibodies, and cellular immune phenotypes of asymptomatic patients with acute SARS-CoV-2 infection to identify potential protective mechanisms. Compared to symptomatic patients, asymptomatic patients had higher counts of mature neutrophils and lower proportion of CD169 expressing monocytes in the peripheral blood.

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Background: Host determinants of severe coronavirus disease 2019 include advanced age, comorbidities and male sex. Virologic factors may also be important in determining clinical outcome and transmission rates, but limited patient-level data is available.

Methods: We conducted an observational cohort study at seven public hospitals in Singapore.

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We aim to describe a case series of critically and non-critically ill COVID-19 patients in Singapore. This was a multicentered prospective study with clinical and laboratory details. Details for fifty uncomplicated COVID-19 patients and ten who required mechanical ventilation were collected.

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Article Synopsis
  • The study investigates how neutralising antibodies specific to SARS-CoV-2 change over time in recovered COVID-19 patients, exploring their impact on long-term immunity.
  • Researchers monitored 164 patients for up to 180 days post-symptom onset, analyzing serum samples to categorize the dynamics of antibody waning into five distinct patterns.
  • Key findings revealed that a significant portion of participants experienced varying rates of antibody decline, highlighting the complexity of immune responses post-infection and the need for further investigation into the longevity of immunity.
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Numerous reports of vascular events after an initial recovery from COVID-19 form our impetus to investigate the impact of COVID-19 on vascular health of recovered patients. We found elevated levels of circulating endothelial cells (CECs), a biomarker of vascular injury, in COVID-19 convalescents compared to healthy controls. In particular, those with pre-existing conditions (e.

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Objectives: The emergence of a SARS-CoV-2 variant with a point mutation in the spike (S) protein, D614G, has taken precedence over the original Wuhan isolate by May 2020. With an increased infection and transmission rate, it is imperative to determine whether antibodies induced against the D614 isolate may cross-neutralise against the G614 variant.

Methods: Antibody profiling against the SARS-CoV-2 S protein of the D614 variant by flow cytometry and assessment of neutralising antibody titres using pseudotyped lentiviruses expressing the SARS-CoV-2 S protein of either the D614 or G614 variant tagged with a luciferase reporter were performed on plasma samples from COVID-19 patients with known D614G status ( = 44 infected with D614,  = 6 infected with G614,  = 7 containing all other clades: O, S, L, V, G, GH or GR).

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Early detection of infection is crucial to limit the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Here we develop a flow cytometry-based assay to detect severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) spike (S) protein antibodies in individuals with COVID-19. The assay detects specific immunoglobulin M (IgM), IgA, and IgG in individuals with COVID-19 and also acquisition of all IgG subclasses, with IgG1 being the most dominant.

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Background: Self-sampling for SARS-CoV-2 would significantly raise testing capacity and reduce healthcare worker (HCW) exposure to infectious droplets personal, and protective equipment (PPE) use.

Methods: We conducted a diagnostic accuracy study where subjects with a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 (n = 401) and healthy volunteers (n = 100) were asked to self-swab from their oropharynx and mid-turbinate (OPMT), and self-collect saliva. The results of these samples were compared to an OPMT performed by a HCW in the same patient at the same session.

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Migrant workers, a marginalized and under-resourced population, are vulnerable to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) due to limited healthcare access. Moreover, metabolic diseases-such as diabetes mellitus (DM), hypertension, and hyperlipidemia-predispose to severe complications and mortality from COVID-19. We investigate the prevalence and consequences of undiagnosed metabolic illnesses, particularly DM and pre-diabetes, in international migrant workers with COVID-19.

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