Volume 223, Issue 7, 1 April 2021

This study determined that spike IgG3 serologic testing best predicted virus neutralization of SARS-CoV-2. Further, the coupling of virus neutralization analysis to a spike IgG3 antibody test is optimal to categorize patients for correlates of SARS-CoV-2 immune protection status.

Patients with comorbidities more often had high upper respiratory tract viral load. Patients with high viral load more often developed COVID-19, were intubated, or died. Viral load could be used to identify high risk for morbidity or severe outcome.

This study examines the utility of the Abbott BinaxNOW rapid direct antigen severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 in the context of community screening at a public transit hub, in comparison with reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction.

Interleukin 12 and 2 levels were significantly higher in patients with asymptomatic or mild coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) (acute phase) than in those with moderate or severe disease, indicating the key roles of these cytokines in asymptomatic or mild COVID-19.

This population-based study assessed longitudinal patterns in HIV viral load suppression after universal treatment in Uganda and observed increases in durable suppression; however, those with viremia were largely persistently viremic and more likely to be young, unmarried, male, and mobile.

We recently demonstrated that 24 weeks of exercise improved physical function among older adults with and without HIV. Here, we investigate whether higher-intensity exercise provided greater decrease in key markers of inflammation, and whether responses differed by HIV serostatus.

We found natural killer cell degranulation and interferon γ secretion in response to recombinant Ebola virus glycoprotein and postvaccination serum samples from healthy volunteers vaccinated with the novel 2-dose heterologous adenovirus type 26.ZEBOV, modified vaccinia Ankara–BN-Filo Ebola vaccine.

Here we demonstrate that KLRG1⁺ NK cells represent a mature subset of NK cells with memory features that develop following HCV infection. KLRG1⁺ cells from HCV patients display enhanced cytotoxicity and proliferation in response to HCV antigens.

Influenza vaccination was associated with lower risk of in-hospital death among patients hospitalized for cardiovascular or respiratory disease, lower risk of readmission among patients hospitalized for cardiovascular disease, and lower direct medical costs for both cardiovascular and respiratory diseases.

More than half of CMV-seropositive kidney transplant recipients receiving ATG recover (or maintain) CMV-specific immunity by the first month after transplantation. The pretransplant IFN-γ level, but not the ATG dose, shows a strong association with the kinetics of this recovery.

A significant decline in antibody titers 12 months following the second IPV dose was observed. The slope of decline was similar for full IPV and fIPV recipients, providing further evidence that fIPV is a viable option for IPV dose sparing.

Adoptive transfer of human serum samples from children invasively infected with Staphylococcus aureus ameliorated disease in a murine sepsis model, with protective effects peaking in serum samples obtained during disease convalescence, although the specific serologic components conferring protection remain to be determined.

A global collection of 3821 Neisseria gonorrhoeae strains was compiled and analyzed for penA and non-penA genetic alterations associated with decreased susceptibility to ceftriaxone. Four molecular algorithms were developed to predict decreased susceptibility to ceftriaxone with high sensitivity or specificity.

Multiple genetic lineages of invasive vaccine serotype 4 pneumococci have increased incidences within 3 of 10 Active Bacterial Core surveillance sites. These lineages are composed of highly related isolate clusters and are disproportionally associated with persons experiencing homelessness.

In this laboratory- and population-based study, we describe how the introduction of 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) is associated with substantial reductions in both overall incidence and socioeconomic and racial disparities in vaccine-type invasive pneumococcal disease incidence, representing a major public health achievement.

In immunocompetent individuals, invasive infection by group A Streptococcus infection is linked to hypervirulent strains. We report that IL-6 immunosuppression can enhance the pathogenesis of lower virulence strains but not hypervirulent M1T1 clones, indicating that host and pathogen factors interplay in risk.

We identified 16 vaccine candidates related to resistance to Schistosoma japonicum infection using a whole-proteome differential screening approach. Our immunoepidemiologic data suggest that Sj6-8 and Sj4-1 merit further evaluation for their vaccine potential for S. japonicum.

A composite score using clinical and inflammatory measurements assessed in people with HIV and severe lymphopenia prior to antiretroviral therapy was designed to predict immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome associated with mycobacterial or viral infections in a prospective international study.

Varicella zoster virus (VZV) vasculopathy cerebrospinal fluid and VZV-infected perineurial cells were examined and found to contain significantly increased amyloidogenic peptides and amyloid. The presence of proinflammatory and cytotoxic amyloid in VZV vasculopathy suggests it may contribute to vasculitis pathogenesis.

Invasive candidiasis (IC) is a concern in the United States. This study evaluated incidence and trends of IC by species and body site using a large, nationally distributed electronic health record database and found increasing incidence of nonbloodstream IC.