Project description:Background The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic affected the school-aged population because of the disease itself and due to the measures applied for prevention and control of the infection. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of population-based vaccination against COVID-19 on the incidence of infection in school settings. Material and Methods A retrospective descriptive study of COVID-19 cases and school outbreaks was carried out at the province level. Students, teachers and staff from different educational stages of the schools were included. The outcome measure was the incidence according to educational stage, case profile and clinic during the first of the academic year 2020/2021 versus the same period 2021/2022. Results The total incidence of SARS-CoV-2 in classrooms was 2470 cases per 100,000 population in the first trimester of the academic year 2020/2021 and 2720 cases per 100,000 population in the same period 2021/2022. The number of reported school outbreaks was 7 times higher in this second period; and the risk of infection in classrooms over 12 years of age (students and teachers) was reduced by 43.1% (vaccinated in high percentage). Conclusions This study shows a reduction in transmission of SARS-CoV-2 infection in students of higher educational stages (secondary and high school) during the first of the academic year 2021/2022 (group with high vaccination coverage at the beginning of the period) compared to the previous school year (without vaccination).
Project description:Antecedentes la pandemia por SARS-CoV-2 afectó a la población en edad escolar debido a la propia enfermedad y, al mismo tiempo, por las medidas aplicadas de prevención y control de la infección. El objetivo del estudio fue evaluar el efecto de la vacunación poblacional contra COVID-19 en la incidencia de la infección en el ámbito escolar. Materiales y métodos se realizó un estudio descriptivo retrospectivo de casos y brotes escolares por COVID-19 a nivel provincial. Se incluyó al alumnado, a los docentes y al personal de diferentes etapas educativas de los centros. La medida principal de los resultados fue la incidencia acumulada en función de etapa educativa, el perfil del caso y la clínica durante el primer trimestre del curso 2020/2021 frente al mismo periodo 2021/2022. Resultados la incidencia total de la infección por SARS-CoV-2 en las aulas fue de 2.470 casos por cada 100.000 habitantes en el primer trimestre del curso 2020/2021 y de 2.720 casos por cada 100.000 habitantes en el mismo periodo 2021/2022. El número de brotes escolares notificados fue 7 veces mayor en este segundo periodo; y, al mismo tiempo, el riesgo de infección en las aulas de mayores de 12 años (alumnos y docentes) se redujo un 43,1% (vacunados en elevado porcentaje). Conclusiones este estudio muestra menor transmisión de infección por SARS-CoV-2 en los alumnos de las etapas educativas superiores (secundaria y bachillerato) durante el primer trimestre escolar 2021/2022 (grupo con elevada cobertura vacunal al inicio del período) respecto al curso previo (sin vacunación).
Project description:Seasonal influenza and the current COVID-19 pandemic represent looming global health challenges. Efficacious and safe vaccines remain the frontline tools for mitigating both influenza virus and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)-induced diseases. This review will discuss the existing strategies for influenza vaccines and how these strategies have informed SARS-CoV-2 vaccines. It will also discuss new vaccine platforms and potential challenges for both viruses.
Project description:Introduction After the World Health Organization declared the COVID-19 outbreak a pandemic, the number of patients with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection (COVID-19) has increased exponentially, and gastroenterologists and other specialists most likely will be involved in the care of those patients. Aim To evaluate the knowledge Latin American gastroenterologists and endoscopists (staff physicians and residents) have about the characteristics of COVID-19, as well as the prevention measures to be taken during endoscopic procedures. Materials and methods We conducted a cross-sectional study that included gastroenterologists and endoscopists from 9 Latin American countries. An electronic questionnaire was applied that was designed to evaluate the knowledge of symptoms, risk groups for severe disease, prevention measures, and the reprocessing of endoscopes utilized in patients with COVID-19. Results Information was obtained from 133 physicians. Ninety-five percent of them correctly identified the most frequent symptoms of the virus, and 60% identified the 3 risk groups for severe disease. Sixty-six percent of those surveyed did not consider it necessary to use standard precautions during endoscopic procedures, and 30% did not consider contact precautions necessary. Forty-eight percent of the participants surveyed were not familiar with the protocol for reprocessing the endoscopes utilized in patients with COVID-19. Conclusion The majority of the gastroenterologists and endoscopists surveyed were familiar with the signs and symptoms of COVID-19 and the populations at risk for complications. There was a lack of knowledge about prevention measures (during clinical care and endoscopic procedures) and the reprocessing of endoscopic equipment by 70% and 48%, respectively, of those surveyed. Dissemination and teaching strategies that increase the knowledge of specific biosafety measures must be carried out.
Project description:Seasonal influenza virus epidemics have a major impact on healthcare systems. Data on population susceptibility to emerging influenza virus strains during the interepidemic period can guide planning for resource allocation of an upcoming influenza season. This study sought to assess the population susceptibility to representative emerging influenza virus strains collected during the interepidemic period. The microneutralisation antibody titers (MN titers) of a human serum panel against representative emerging influenza strains collected during the interepidemic period before the 2018/2019 winter influenza season (H1N1-inter and H3N2-inter) were compared with those against influenza strains representative of previous epidemics (H1N1-pre and H3N2-pre). A multifaceted approach, incorporating both genetic and antigenic data, was used in selecting these representative influenza virus strains for the MN assay. A significantly higher proportion of individuals had a ⩾four-fold reduction in MN titers between H1N1-inter and H1N1-pre than that between H3N2-inter and H3N2-pre (28.5% (127/445) vs. 4.9% (22/445), P < 0.001). The geometric mean titer (GMT) of H1N1-inter was significantly lower than that of H1N1-pre (381 (95% CI 339-428) vs. 713 (95% CI 641-792), P < 0.001), while there was no significant difference in the GMT between H3N2-inter and H3N2-pre. Since A(H1N1) predominated the 2018-2019 winter influenza epidemic, our results corroborated the epidemic subtype.
Project description:Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the causative agent of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), rapidly spread across the globe in 2019. With the emergence of the Omicron variant, COVID-19 shifted into an endemic phase. Given the anticipated rise in cases during the fall and winter seasons, the strategy of implementing seasonal booster vaccines for COVID-19 is becoming increasingly valuable to protect public health. This practice already exists for seasonal influenza vaccines to combat annual influenza seasons. Our goal was to investigate an easily modifiable vaccine platform for seasonal use against SARS-CoV-2. In this study, we evaluated the genetically modified influenza virus ΔNA(RBD) as an intranasal vaccine candidate for COVID-19. This modified virus was engineered to replace the coding sequence for the neuraminidase (NA) protein with a membrane-anchored form of the receptor binding domain (RBD) protein of SARS-CoV-2. We designed experiments to assess the protection of ΔNA(RBD) in K18-hACE2 mice using lethal (Delta) and non-lethal (Omicron) challenge models. Controls of COVID-19 mRNA vaccine and our lab's previously described intranasal virus like particle vaccine were used as comparisons. Immunization with ΔNA(RBD) expressing ancestral RBD elicited high anti-RBD IgG levels in the serum of mice, high anti-RBD IgA in lung tissue, and improved survival after Delta variant challenge. Modifying ΔNA(RBD) to express Omicron variant RBD shifted variant-specific antibody responses and limited viral burden in the lungs of mice after Omicron variant challenge. Overall, this data suggests that ΔNA(RBD) could be an effective intranasal vaccine platform that generates mucosal and systemic immunity towards SARS-CoV-2.
Project description:Objectif Analyse de l’impact du premier mois de confinement lié à l’épidémie SARS-CoV-2 sur l’activité de consultation des otorhinolaryngologistes libéraux de l‘île de La Réunion. Méthode Étude observationnelle, multicentrique, prospective analysant l’activité de consultation de douze praticiens. Objectif principal Évaluer le nombre, les caractéristiques et les modalités des consultations réalisées. Objectifs secondaires : préciser les symptômes amenant les patients à consulter, les diagnostics évoqués, les prescriptions instaurées, les éventuelles conséquences néfastes et l’impact sur le chiffre d‘affaire. Résultats 693 consultations étaient réalisées, dont 50 % étaient demandées en urgence. 57,9 % des consultations étaient réalisées en présence du patient, 28,4 % étaient effectuées au téléphone et 13,7 % et en téléconsultation. Lors des consultations présentielles, les otorhinolaryngologistes portaient des gants et un masque respectivement dans 53,8 % et 92,2 % des cas. Le masque porté était de type chirurgical et de type FFP2 dans 71,6 % et 28,4 % de cas, respectivement. Les trois symptômes les plus fréquents (48,5 % des cas) étaient l’otalgie, les troubles de l’audition et les vertiges. Les trois diagnostics les plus fréquents (60,6 % des cas) étaient, les otites, les corps étrangers d’oreille (cérumen inclus) et les infections pharyngées. Les trois examens complémentaires les plus prescrits (74,3 % des cas) étaient l’imagerie, l’audiométrie, et l’avis d’un spécialiste médical. Les trois familles thérapeutiques les plus prescrites (52,7 % des cas) étaient les gouttes auriculaires, les antibiotiques, et les lavages de nez et/ou sprays nasaux. L’incidence des conséquences néfastes était de 0,001 % et aucun des otorhinolaryngologistes ou des patients ne semblait avoir été infecté par la Covid 19. Une baisse de 47,3 % à 91 % (médiane : 75,6 %) du chiffre d’affaire de consultation était notée. Conclusion Cette étude souligne la disponibilité et l’adaptabilité des ORL réunionnais libéraux en contexte épidémique malgré un impact économique très négatif.
Project description:Since COVID-19 and flu have similar symptoms, they are difficult to distinguish without an accurate diagnosis. Therefore, it is critical to quickly and accurately determine which virus was infected and take appropriate treatments when a person has an infection. This study developed a dual-mode surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS)-based LFA strip that can diagnose SARS-CoV-2 and influenza A virus with high accuracy to reduce the false-negative problem of the commercial colorimetric LFA strip. Furthermore, using a single strip, it is feasible to detect SARS-CoV-2 and influenza A virus simultaneously. A clinical test was performed on 39 patient samples (28 SARS-CoV-2 positives, 6 influenza A virus positives, and 5 negatives), evaluating the clinical efficacy of the proposed dual-mode SERS-LFA strip. Our assay results for clinical samples show that the dual-mode LFA strip significantly reduced the false-negative rate for both SARS-CoV-2 and influenza A virus.