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Abstract Diagnostic assays currently used to monitor the efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines measure levels of antibodies to the receptor-binding domain of ancestral SARS-CoV-2 (RBDwt). However, the predictive value for protection against new variants of concern (VOCs) has not been firmly established. Here, we used bead-based arrays and flow cytometry to measure binding of antibodies to spike proteins and receptor-binding domains (RBDs) from VOCs in 12,000 serum samples. Effects of sera on RBD-ACE2 interactions were measured as a proxy for neutralizing antibodies. The samples were obtained from healthy individuals or patients on immunosuppressive therapy who had received two to four doses of COVID-19 vaccines and from COVID-19 convalescents. The results show that anti-RBDwt titers correlate with the levels of binding- and neutralizing antibodies against the Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta, Epsilon and Omicron variants. The benefit of multiplexed analysis lies in the ability to measure a wide range of anti-RBD titers using a single dilution of serum for each assay. The reactivity patterns also yield an internal reference for neutralizing activity and binding antibody units per milliliter (BAU/ml). Results obtained with sera from vaccinated healthy individuals and patients confirmed and extended results from previous studies on time-dependent waning of antibody levels and effects of immunosuppressive agents. We conclude that anti-RBDwt titers correlate with levels of neutralizing antibodies against VOCs and propose that our method may be implemented to enhance the precision and throughput of immunomonitoring.

Background and study aims Knowledge on self-reported quality of life (QoL) in achalasia and QoL improvements after peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) is limited. Furthermore, the clinical role of QoL in achalasia follow-up has not been evaluated. The present study aimed to examine QoL in achalasia patients before and after POEM and assess associations between QoL, Eckardt score (ES) and objective results. Patients and methods This was a single-center prospective study of treatment-naïve achalasia patients with 12-month follow-up after POEM including manometry, upper endoscopy, 24-hour pH registration, and timed barium esophagogram. QoL data were registered using European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer core questionnaire (QLQ-C30) and esophageal module (QLQ-OES18). Comparison with a reference population was performed to assess impact of achalasia on QoL and effect of therapy. Mixed models for repeated measures were applied. Results Fifty patients (26 females) with a median age of 47 years (18–76) were included. Before treatment, all QoL domains were significantly impaired compared with an age- and gender-adjusted reference population (P

AbstractBackground and aims Peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) is an established therapy for achalasia, but outcome evaluation has often been limited to Eckardt score (ES). The present study was aimed to improve knowledge about outcome evaluation and predictive outcome factors by performing a comprehensive objective evaluation of achalasia patients treated by POEM.Methods This single centre prospective study reports outcome data 12 months after POEM in treatment-naive achalasia patients. A predefined follow-up protocol included ES, high resolution manometry, 24-h pH measurement, upper endoscopy and timed barium esophagogram (TBE). Univariate and multivariate regression analyses were performed to analyze association between post-POEM variables and identify predictive factors for objective outcome.Results Fifty patients were included with a drop-out rate of 3 cm after POEM was associated with treatment failure assessed by ES (p = .04) and TBE (p = .03). Advanced achalasia stage (p = .02) and long symptom duration (p = .04) were identified as independent predictive factors for poor outcome assessed by TBE.Conclusions The present study confirms that POEM is an efficient therapy for achalasia. The comprehensive objective evaluation after POEM demonstrates that long symptom duration and major changes in oesophageal anatomy at diagnosis imply poor treatment outcome, and a post-POEM dilated oesophagus is associated with treatment failure.Key messagesPeroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) is established as a safe and effective therapy for achalasia.Timed barium esophagogram offers objective variables that are valuable in treatment response evaluation.Advanced achalasia stage and long symptom duration are predictive factors for poor objective treatment response after POEM.