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SARS-CoV-2 infection in vaccinated maintenance hemodialysis patients despite anti-spike seroconversion: a report of 3 breakthrough cases

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Biedunkiewicz B., Tylicki L., Puchalska-Reglińska E., Dąbrowska M., Ślizień W., Kubanek A., Rąbalski Ł., Kosiński M., Grzybek M., Renke M., Dębska-Ślizień A.

European Journal of Translational and Clinical Medicine

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2022

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vol. 5

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issue 1

12-16

EN

Chronically hemodialyzed (HD) patients are at a high risk of developing very severe forms of COVID-19 disease. In this article we describe three HD patients (all males, aged 70, 70 and 74 years) vaccinated intramuscularly with a two-dose mRNA BNT162b2 vaccine; BionTech/Pfizer Comirnaty, in whom subsequent breakthrough SARS-CoV-2 infections developed. All patients achieved post-vaccine seroconversion for anti-spike antibodies with IgG titers of 445, 227 and 92.5 AU/mL (cut-off, 13 AU/mL) case 1, 2 and 3 respectively. SARS-CoV-2 infection was diagnosed 44, 28 and 48 days after the second dose of BNT162b2 and confirmed with the polymerase-chain-reaction (PCR) test. Two asymptomatic patients underwent this test because of their direct contact with a person with confirmed COVID-19. The third patient reported only a non-significant drop in oxygen saturation, and was hospitalized (case 3). All these patients were characterized by a low post-vaccination neutralizing antibody titer and a high production of these antibodies after falling ill (795, 845 and 5770). Perhaps this production of antibodies is responsible for the mild course of the disease, and the likely reduction of mortality. These breakthrough cases in no way undermine the importance of the vaccinations, and on the contrary argue for their urgency.

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Vaccination against influenza in pregnant women

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Brydak L., Nitsch-Osuch A.

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2014

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vol. 61

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issue 3

589-591

EN

Pregnancy places otherwise healthy women at an increased risk of complications arising from an influenza infection. It is suggested that physiological changes such as immunological changes, increased cardiac output and oxygen consumption, as well as lung tidal volume might increase the susceptibility to influenza complications if infection occurs during pregnancy. Immunization of pregnant women against influenza is currently recommended in many countries and has been proven to be safe and effective in reducing rates and severity of the disease in vaccinated mothers and their children. Influenza vaccination is also cost-effective. Nevertheless, influenza vaccine coverage remains low in pregnant women. This might stem from the lack of healthcare workers' education, a feeling among the general public that influenza is not a serious disease and a failure of prenatal care providers to offer the vaccine. In order to protect pregnant women and infants from influenza related morbidity and mortality an educational programme targeting healthcare workers in charge of pregnant women should be implemented.

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Students’ knowledge about cervical cancer and vaccine against human papillomavirus (HPV)

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Maksimiuk M., Sobiborowicz A., Beranek O., Sobol M., Badowska-Kozakiewicz A. M.

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vol. 8

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issue 4

127-136

EN

Introduction: Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted virus worldwide. It’s associated with over 99% of cases of cervical cancer and also connected with other cancers like rectal, vaginal or penile. Aim: To evaluate the level of knowledge about cervical cancer and HPV vaccine among students attending medical and non-medical universities and to discuss problems connected with low interest in cancer prevention. Materials and methods: 427 students took part in the anonymous survey. Original questionnaire consisted of 19 questions and was prepared by the authors powered by review of valid references. Results: 93.2% of interviewees have heard about HPV vaccine and 20.6% of them have been vaccinated. There was a statistically significant difference in knowledge and attitude to vaccination and cancer prevention between medical and non-medical students. Discussion: Interviewees are aware of hazards involved in HPV infection, but they don’t know the exact scale of it. They cannot evaluate the risks connected with cervical cancer properly, what may influence their low interest in prevention. Knowledge about HPV vaccine’s existence is common, but there is a huge disinformation about its characteristics and side effects. Main source of knowledge are mass media, subject of vaccination is discussed at school or with general physician extremely rarely. The price of the vaccine is main reason for resignation, so regional government’s prevention programs play a very important role. Conclusions: The education of the society is a strong base for excellent prevention of cancers. Doctors should be included in more active operations for cervical cancer prevention

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Perspectives on novel vaccine development

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Wang Y. B., Wang L. P., Li P.

Polish Journal of Veterinary Sciences

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2018

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vol. 21

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issue 3

5

In the midst of imbalance: medical and healthcare students versus SARS-CoV-2

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Kamieniecki A., Marek D., Dułak N. A., Skrzypkowska P., Louise Olofsson H. K., Szmuda T., Słoniewski P., Ali S.

European Journal of Translational and Clinical Medicine

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2021

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vol. 5

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issue 2

42-52

EN

Background During the COVID-19 era, it is crucial to determine the level of relevant infectious disease knowledge amongst medical students as they may influence public opinion by acting as informal medical advisors to their friends and family. We sought to assess the knowledge of students regarding COVID-19 at a single Polish medical university, to understand the level of knowledge and determine if dedicated COVID-19 education is necessary. Material and methods The survey was conducted in Google Forms and access was obtained through the university’s secure email. After exclusion, 1.001 students were enrolled. Results The most common mask used amongst students is a surgical mask. Regarding SARS-CoV-2 transmission, 79,1% chose droplet and 19,3% chose airborne transmission. Only 35% agreed that surgical masks protect them from coronavirus and 70% strongly agreed or agreed that all healthcare workers should wear an N95/FFP3 mask. Students with a healthcare worker in the family more likely agreed that all healthcare workers should wear N95/FFP3 (p = 0.001). The source of information used affected the route of transmission chosen (p = 0.006). Conclusions We recommend combatting contradicting information by healthcare students having dedicated education on SARS-CoV-2, PPE, filtering efficiency of masks, modes of transmission of viruses, and how to use evidence-based medicine for better public health dispersion.

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Przypadek zespołu Gianottiego-Crostiego u 20-miesięcznego chłopca

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Brzeziński P.

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EN

Gianotti-Crosti syndrome (GCS) was first described in 1955 by Gianotti. This condition usually affects children aged 1-6. Only isolated cases of GCS in persons over 20 have been reported. Several factors may play a role in the pathogenesis of GCS. GCS is associated mainly with viral infection or immunization. Currently, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection is considered the leading cause of GCS. Vaccination-associated cases of GCS also have been described. Peak incidence of GCS is seen during spring-summer season. Typical findings include multiple uniform pink or red-brown papules. A characteristic feature is their symmetric distribution, encompassing cheeks, extensor aspect of extremities and buttocks. Papules may persist for several weeks. About 30% of patients present with cervical or axillary lymphadenopathy. In order to facilitate diagnosis, a list of 12 key clinical signs of GCS has been developed. We present a case of a 20 months’ old boy, who developed red-brown papules over extensor aspect of extremities 3 weeks after the second dose of DTP (diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis) vaccine. Directly prior to vaccination, the boy has been coughing for 5 days. Skin lesions coexisted with cervical and axillary lymphadenopathy. Child’s overall condition was satisfactory. Lab tests did not reveal hepatitis B antigen. Treatment included oral antihistaminics and topical 1% hydrocortisone ointment. Papules persisted for about 50 days and resolved. It appears that in this case DTP vaccine was the triggering factor, but a coexisting viral infection can not be excluded.

PL

Zespół Gianottiego-Crostiego (ZGC) został opisany po raz pierwszy w 1955 roku przez Gianottiego. Jest schorzeniem występującym głównie u dzieci w wieku 1-6 lat. Odnotowano pojedyncze przypadki zachorowań u osób powyżej 20. roku życia. Istnieje szereg czynników, które mogą mieć udział w etiopatogenezie ZGC. Występowanie ZGC ma głównie związek z infekcją wirusową lub immunizacją. Obecnie uważa się, że najczęstszą przyczyną zakażeń jest wirus Epsteina-Barr (EBV). Opisywano również przypadki ZGC po szczepieniach. Najczęściej obserwowano występowanie ZGC w okresie wiosenno-letnim. Typowe są monomorficzne grudki barwy od różowej do czerwonej. Za charakterystyczną można uznać symetrię zmian skórnych: policzki, wyprostne części kończyn, pośladki. Zmiany utrzymują się kilka tygodni. U 30% pacjentów stwierdza się limfadenopatię (szyjną i pachową). W celu ułatwienia rozpoznania zaproponowano listę 12 klinicznych kryteriów ZGC. W pracy przedstawiono przypadek 20-miesięcznego chłopca, u którego zmiany skórne, pod postacią czerwono-brązowych grudek na wyprostnych częściach kończyn, pojawiły się mniej więcej 3 tygodnie po dawce przypominającej szczepionki DTP (dur – tężec – krztusiec). Tuż przez szczepieniem chłopiec miał kaszel trwający około 5 dni. Zmianom skórnym towarzyszyły powiększone węzły chłonne szyjne i karkowe. Ogólny stan zdrowia dziecka był dobry. W badaniach laboratoryjnych nie stwierdzono antygenu HBs. W leczeniu stosowano leki przeciwhistaminowe i 1% maść hydrokortyzonową. Zmiany skórne utrzymywały się około 50 dni, po czym wchłonęły się. Wydaje się, że czynnikiem wywołującym schorzenie u pacjenta mogła być szczepionka DTP, nie można również wykluczyć współistnienia infekcji wirusowej.

Refine search results

SARS-CoV-2 infection in vaccinated maintenance hemodialysis patients despite anti-spike seroconversion: a report of 3 breakthrough cases

Vaccination against influenza in pregnant women

Students’ knowledge about cervical cancer and vaccine against human papillomavirus (HPV)

Perspectives on novel vaccine development

In the midst of imbalance: medical and healthcare students versus SARS-CoV-2

Przypadek zespołu Gianottiego-Crostiego u 20-miesięcznego chłopca