Search

Background: In the present study, we investigated the dynamics of immunity over time by measuring anti SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies and SARS-CoV-2 specific T-cell responses (interferon-gamma release assay) after two doses of vaccines in residents and health care workers (HCW). Mostly, 224 (98%) residents and 244 (89%) HCW received two doses of mRNA vaccine (BNT162b2, Pfizer-BioNTech); the rest of the participants received heterologous vaccinations with mRNA and vector vaccines. The study was conducted at the time when the Delta variant of SARS-CoV-2 prevailed.Methods: We analyzed blood samples of 228 residents (median age 83.8 years) and of 273 HCW (median age 49.7 years) from five nursing homes and one home for the elderly with assisted living support at one specific time point. Participants received two vaccinations. The blood samples were analyzed for SARS-CoV-2 specific IgG antibody and T-cell responses.Results: The initial immune responses in the younger participants were about 30% higher than in the older age group. Over time the estimated mean of the parameters (estimated from the study sample for the total population) decreased in all groups within the maximum observation period of 232 days. Comorbidities such as coronary heart disease or diabetes mellitus reduced the initial immune responses regardless of age. With regard to measured IgG antibody levels, absolute values decreased over time, whereas the interferon-gamma response remained at a constant level between day 120 and 180 and seemed to be less dependent on the time elapsed after vaccination.Conclusions: Based on our data, it does not seem possible to determine a reliable threshold of robust immunity, but we suggest that high titres of neutralizing capacity and interferon-gamma response might be an indicator of protection against severe COVID-19 courses.

The post diarrheal hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) is a major complication of enteric infections with Shiga toxin producing (STEC). According to the present recommendations, antibiotic therapy of acute bloody diarrhea caused by STEC is generally discouraged. These recommendations are based on historically conflicting results describing the potential induction of HUS by antibiotic treatment during the early phase of infection with enterohemorrhagic O157 whereas no guidelines are available for the use of antibiotics in cases of already fully established HUS or in asymptomatic long term STEC carriers. In 2011, a large outbreak of hemorrhagic colitis complicated by HUS occurred in northern Germany caused by a STEC strain of serotype O104:H4 harbouring both a phage encoding Stx 2 as well as a plasmid mediated enteroaggregative phenotype. The majority of infections were observed in adults, complicated by the highest number of HUS cases ever encountered. Due to different newly introduced therapeutic strategies (e.g. complement blockade) antibiotic therapy was used in many patients once HUS was established. The outbreak therefore provided important new insights for the understanding of antibiotic therapy of STEC associated HUS in adults and for decolonization of long term STEC carriers. This review highlights new aspects concerning use of antibiotics in STEC infection and colonization.

A novel assay capable of quantifying mixtures of two genotypes differing by only one single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) is presented. 'Locked' nucleic acid (LNA) modification of primers has allowed the design of a quantitative SNP-specific PCR assay.

Abstract Background Chlamydophila pneumoniae is an obligate intracellular bacterium that replicates in a biphasic life cycle within eukaryotic host cells. Four published genomes revealed an identity of > 99 %. This remarkable finding raised questions about the existence of distinguishable genotypes in correlation with geographical and anatomical origin. Results We studied the genetic diversity of C. pneumoniae by analysing synonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms (sSNPs) that are under reduced selection pressure. We conducted an in silico analysis of the four sequenced genomes, chose 232 representative sSNPs and analysed the loci in 38 C. pneumoniae isolates. We identified 15 different genotypes that were separated in four major clusters. Clusters were not associated with anatomical or geographical origin. However, animal lineages are basal on the C. pneumomiae phylogeny, suggesting a recent transmission to humans through successive bottlenecks some 150,000 years ago. A lack of detectable variation in 17 isolates emphasizes the extraordinary genetic conservation of this species and the high clonality of the population. Moreover, the largest cluster, which encompasses 80% of all analysed strains, is an extremely young clade, that went through an important population expansion some 3,300 years ago. Conclusion sSNPs have proven useful as a sensitive marker to gain new insights into genetic diversity, population structure and evolutionary history of C. pneumoniae.

Abstract Background Polymorphonuclear neutrophil granulocytes (PMN) are phagocytes of the first line of antimicrobial defense. Previously we demonstrated that lipoteichoic acid (LTA) from Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) directly activates neutrophil granulocytes. Others have reported that exposure of S. aureus to β-lactam antibiotics leads to LTA release. In the present study we addressed the question whether exposure of S. aureus to β-lactam antibiotics or antibiotics of other groups results in the generation of PMN-stimulating activity and whether this activity can be attributed to LTA. Methods S. aureus were exposed to flucloxacillin, a β-lactam antibiotic or to the protein synthesis-inhibitors erythromycin and gentamicin, or to ciprofloxacin, a gyrase inhibitor. Supernatants of the antibiotic-treated bacteria were assayed for their LTA content and for their effect on PMN functions. Results We observed that exposure of S. aureus to flucloxacillin and, to a lesser degree to ciprofloxacin, but not to erythromycin or gentamicin led to LTA release. Co-incubation of neutrophil granulocytes with LTA-containing supernatants led to PMN activation as assed by morphological changes, release of IL-8, delay of spontaneous apoptosis and enhanced phagocytic activity. Depletion of LTA from the supernatants markedly reduced their PMN-activating capacity. Conclusion The findings suggest that, via the activation of PMN, antibiotic-induced LTA release from S. aureus leads to enhanced antimicrobial activity of the innate immune defense mechanisms.

To the Editor: Long-term carriage of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) can greatly affect the social and work lives of infected patients. We describe the use of whole-genome sequencing to [...]