Machine Learning to Identify Critical Biomarker Profiles in New SARS-CoV-2 Variants.

The global dissemination of SARS-CoV-2 resulted in the emergence of several variants, including Alpha, Alpha + E484K, Beta, and Omicron. Our research integrated the study of eukaryotic translation factors and fundamental components in general protein synthesis with the analysis of SARS-CoV-2 variants and vaccination status. Utilizing statistical methods, we successfully differentiated between variants in infected individuals and, to a lesser extent, between vaccinated and non-vaccinated infected individuals, relying on the expression profiles of translation factors. Additionally, our investigation identified common causal relationships among the translation factors, shedding light on the interplay between SARS-CoV-2 variants and the host's translation machinery.

The breathtaking world of human respiratory in vitro models: Investigating lung diseases and infections in 3D models, organoids, and lung-on-chip.

The COVID-19 pandemic illustrated an urgent need for sophisticated, human tissue models to rapidly test and develop effective treatment options against this newly emerging severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Thus, in particular, the last 3 years faced an extensive boost in respiratory and pulmonary model development. Nowadays, 3D models, organoids and lung-on-chip, respiratory models in perfusion, or precision-cut lung slices are used to study complex research questions in human primary cells. These models provide physiologically relevant systems for studying SARS-CoV-2 and, of course, other respiratory pathogens, but they are, too, suited for studying lung pathologies, such as CF, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or asthma, in more detail in terms of viral infection. With these models, the cornerstone has been laid for further advancing the organs by, for example, inclusion of several immune cell types or humoral immune components, combination with other organs in microfluidic organ-on-chip devices, standardization and harmonization of the devices for reliable and reproducible drug and vaccine testing in high throughput.

P80 natural essence spray and lozenges provide respiratory protection against Influenza A, B, and SARS-CoV-2.

Seasonally circulating viruses, such as Influenza, as well as newly emerging viruses and variants thereof, and waning immunity urge the need for safe, easy-to-use and inexpensive drugs to protect from these challenges. To prevent transmission of these viruses and subsequent excessive inflammatory reactions on mucous membranes, we tested the efficacy of the natural essence P80 as spray and in form of lozenges against respiratory infections caused by SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VoCs), influenza A (H3N2) and influenza B (Victoria). P80 natural essence, a Dimocarpus longan extract, shielded highly differentiated human airway epithelia from SARS-CoV-2 wildtype and Omicron variant as well as Influenza A and B infection and dampened inflammation by down-modulating pro-inflammatory cytokine and anaphylatoxin secretion. A single application of P80 natural essence spray maintained tissue integrity long-term. This also significantly reduced the release of infectious viral particles and the secretion of IP10, MCP1, RANTES and C3a, all of which mediate the migration of immune cells to the sites of infection. Even P80 lozenges dissolved in distilled water or non-neutralizing saliva efficiently prevented SARS-CoV-2 and Influenza-induced tissue destruction. Consequently, our in vitro data suggest that P80 natural essence can act as antiviral prophylactic, both in form of nasal or oral spray and in form of lozenges, independent of circulating respiratory challenges.

SARS-CoV-2 activates the TLR4/MyD88 pathway in human macrophages: A possible correlation with strong pro-inflammatory responses in severe COVID-19.

Background: Toll-like receptors (TLRs) play a pivotal role in the immunologic response to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. Exaggerated inflammatory response of innate immune cells, however, may drive morbidity and death in Coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19). Objective: We investigated the engagement of SARS-CoV-2 with TLR4 in order to better understand how to tackle hyperinflammation in COVID-19. Methods: We combined RNA-sequencing data of human lung tissue and of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid cells derived from COVID-19 patients with functional studies in human macrophages using SARS-CoV-2 spike proteins and viable SARS-CoV-2. Pharmacological inhibitors as well as gene editing with CRISPR/Cas9 were used to delineate the signalling pathways involved. Results: We found TLR4 to be the most abundantly upregulated TLR in human lung tissue irrespective of the underlying pathology. Accordingly, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid cells from patients with severe COVID-19 showed an NF-κB-pathway dominated immune response, whereas they were mostly defined by type I interferon signalling in moderate COVID-19. Mechanistically, we found the Spike ectodomain, but not receptor binding domain monomer to induce TLR4-dependent inflammation in human macrophages. By using pharmacological inhibitors as well as CRISPR/Cas9 deleted macrophages, we identify SARS-CoV-2 to engage canonical TLR4-MyD88 signalling. Importantly, we demonstrate that TLR4 blockage prevents exaggerated inflammatory responses in human macrophages infected with different SARS-CoV-2 variants, including immune escape variants B.1.1.7.-E484K and B.1.1.529 (omicron). Conclusion: Our study critically extends the current knowledge on TLR-mediated hyperinflammatory responses to SARS-CoV-2 in human macrophages, paving the way for novel approaches to tackle severe COVID-19. Take-home message: Our study combining human lung transcriptomics with functional studies in human macrophages clearly supports the design and development of TLR4 - directed therapeutics to mitigate hyperinflammation in severe COVID-19.

Omicron subvariants illustrate reduced respiratory tissue penetration, cell damage and inflammatory responses in human airway epithelia.

Introduction: To explore whether the reported lower pathogenicity in infected individuals of variant of concern (VoC) Omicron and its current subvariants compared to VoC Delta may be related to fundamental differences in the initial virus-tissue interaction, we assessed their ability to penetrate, replicate and cause damage in a human 3D respiratory model. Methods: For this, we used TEER measurements, real-time PCR, LDH, cytokine and complex confocal imaging analyses. Results and discussion: We observed that Delta readily penetrated deep into the respiratory epithelium and this was associated with major tissue destruction, high LDH activity, high viral loads and pronounced innate immune activation as observed by intrinsic C3 activation and IL-6 release at infection sites. In contrast, Omicron subvariants BA.5, BQ.1.1 and BF7 remained superficially in the mucosal layer resulting merely in outward-directed destruction of cells, maintenance of epithelial integrity, minimal LDH activity and low basolateral release of virus at infection sites, as well as significantly smaller areas of complement activation and lower IL-6 secretion. Interestingly, also within Omicron subvariants differences were observed with newer Omicron subvariants BQ.1.1 and BF.7 illustrating significantly reduced viral loads, IL-6 release and LDH activity compared to BA.5. Our data indicate that earliest interaction events after SARS-CoV-2 transmission may have a role in shaping disease severity.

Salivary antibodies induced by BA.4/BA.5-convalescence or bivalent booster Immunoglobulin vaccination protect against novel SARS-COV-2 variants of concern.

Currently, SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA.5 subvariants BF.7 and BQ.1.1 are rapidly emerging worldwide. To evaluate the SARS-CoV-2-neutralizing capacity of sera and saliva from triple vaccinated individuals, either boosted with an adapted bivalent COVID-19 vaccine or recovered from BA.4/BA.5 infection, we analyzed the sensitivity of replication-competent SARS-CoV-2 Omicron subvariants BA.4/5, BQ.1.1 and BF.7 to neutralization. Analysis of SARS-CoV-2-specific IgGs and IgAs showed increased serum IgG titers in the vaccinated group, while the serum and salivary IgA levels were comparable. Similar and efficient serum neutralization against the ancestral strain of SARS-CoV-2 and Omicron BA.4/BA.5 was detected in both cohorts, but critically reduced for BQ.1.1 and BF.7. In contrast, salivary neutralization against BA.4/BA.5 was increased in the convalescent compared to the vaccinated group, while salivary neutralizing capacity against BQ.1.1 and BF.7 was comparable in these groups. Further, personalized protective effects studied in a human 3D respiratory model revealed the importance of salivary protection against different Omicron subvariants. IMPORTANCE In BA.4/BA.5-convalescent versus vaccinated groups, salivary neutralization capacity increased against SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA.4/BA.5. In contrast, it neutralized novel Omicron subvariants BQ.1.1 and BF.7 similarly. Salivary protection against various Omicron subvariants was even more evident when tested in a personalized approach using highly differentiated respiratory human 3D models.

Virus-Subtype-Specific Cellular and Humoral Immune Response to a COVID-19 mRNA Vaccine in Chronic Kidney Disease Patients and Renal Transplant Recipients.

Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) or immunosuppression are at increased risk of severe SARS-CoV-2 infection. The vaccination of CKD patients has resulted in lower antibody concentrations and possibly reduced protection. However, little information is available on how T-cell-mediated immune response is affected in those patients and how vaccine-induced immune responses can neutralise different SARS-CoV-2 variants. Herein, we studied virus-specific humoral and cellular immune responses after two doses of mRNA-1273 (Moderna) vaccine in 42 patients suffering from CKD, small vessel vasculitis (maintenance phase), or kidney transplant recipients (KT). Serum and PBMCs from baseline and at three months after vaccination were used to determine SARS-CoV-2 S1-specific antibodies, neutralisation titers against SARS-CoV-2 WT, B1.617.2 (delta), and BA.1 (omicron) variants as well as virus-specific T-cells via IFNγ ELISpot assays. We observed a significant increase in quantitative and neutralising antibody titers against SARS-CoV-2 and significantly increased T-cell responses to SARS-CoV-2 S1 antigen after vaccination only in the CKD patients. In patients with vasculitis, neither humoral nor cellular responses were detected. In KT recipients, antibodies and virus neutralisation against WT and delta, but not against omicron BA.1, was assured. Importantly, we found no specific SARS-CoV-2 T-cell response in vasculitis and KT subjects, although unspecific T-cell activation was evident in most patients even before vaccination. While pre-dialysis CKD patients appear to mount an effective immune response for in vitro neutralisation of SARS-CoV-2, KT and vasculitis patients under immunosuppressive therapy were insufficiently protected from SARS-CoV-2 two months after the second dose of an mRNA vaccine.

Intravesical BCG in bladder cancer induces innate immune responses against SARS-CoV-2.

BCG is the most efficient adjuvant therapy for high-risk, non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). Both innate and adaptive immune responses have been implicated in BCG-mediated effects. BCG vaccination can boost innate immune responses via trained immunity (TI), resulting in an increased resistance to respiratory viral infections. Here we evaluated for the first time whether intravesical application of BCG triggers increased immunity against SARS-CoV-2 in patients with high-risk NMIBC. Serum and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from heparinized whole blood samples of 11 unvaccinated SARS-CoV-2-naïve high-risk NMIBC patients were collected at baseline and during BCG treatment in a pre-COVID-19 era. To examine B-cell or T cell-dependent adaptive immunity against SARS-CoV-2, sera were tested for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies. Using a SARS-CoV-2 peptide pool, virus-specific T cells were quantified via IFNγ ELISpot assays. To analyze innate immune responses, mRNA and protein expression levels of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines were measured after a 24-hour stimulation of PBMCs with either BCG or SARS-CoV-2 wildtype. ATAC- sequencing was performed to identify a potential epigenetic reprogramming in immune cells. We neither identified SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies nor SARS-CoV-2- reactive T cells, indicating that intravesical BCG did not induce adaptive immunity against SARS-CoV-2. However, a significant increase in mRNA as well as protein expression of IL-1ß, IL-6 and TNFα, which are key cytokines of trained immunity, could be observed after at least four intravesical BCG instillations. Genomic regions in the proximity of TI genes (TLR2, IGF1R, AKT1, MTOR, MAPK14, HSP90AA1) were more accessible during BCG compared to baseline. Although intravesical BCG did not induce adaptive immune responses, repetitive intravesical instillations of BCG induced circulating innate immune cells that produce TI cytokines also in response to SARS-CoV-2.

Omicron (B.1.1.529) BA.1 or BA.2-related effects on immune responses in previously naïve versus imprinted individuals: immune imprinting as an advantage in the humoral immune response against novel variants.

Background: Immune imprinting is a phenomenon in which a person's immune system develops a specific immunological memory of the pathogen or vaccine due to a previous exposure. This memory basically leads to a faster and stronger immune response in a subsequent contact to the same pathogen or vaccine. However, what happens if the pathogen has changed considerably in the meantime due to mutations in the main target region of antibodies, as in the evolution of SARS-CoV-2 from the ancestral strain to B.1.1.529 (Omicron)? In this case, does immune imprinting also confer an advantage in repeated contact and does it lead to a stronger immune response? Methods: To clarify these questions, we investigated the effects of immune imprinting in the context of SARS-CoV-2 by comparing a group of previously infection-naïve versus imprinted study participants and determined differences in humoral and cellular immune responses during and after infection with strain SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.529 BA.1 and BA.2, respectively. We used a commercial CLIA, immunoblots, IFN-γ ELISpots and a plaque-reduction neutralization test to generate a clear and comparable picture of the humoral and cellular immune response in the two study groups. Results: Imprinted participants developed significantly higher antibody titers and showed significantly stronger neutralization capacity against the ancestral strain, BA.1 and BA.5. The immune response of naïve study participants was narrower and related mainly to the receptor-binding domain, which resulted in a lower neutralization capacity against other strains including BA.5. Naïve study participants showed a significantly higher cellular immune response than the imprinted study group, indicating a higher antigenic challenge. The cellular immune response was directed against general structures of SARS-CoV-2 and not specifically against the receptor-binding domain. Conclusion: Viral variant infection elicits variant-specific antibodies and prior mRNA vaccination or infection with a previous SARS-CoV-2 variant imprints serological responses toward the ancestral strain rather than variant antigens. On the other hand, our study shows that the initially higher specific antibody titers due to former imprinting via vaccination or prior infection significantly increased the humoral immune response, and therefore outperformed the humoral immune response of naïve study participants.

Vaccination and Omicron BA.1/BA.2 Convalescence Enhance Systemic but Not Mucosal Immunity against BA.4/5.

Rising breakthrough infections with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Omicron BA.4/5 led to the performance of various studies investigating systemic immunity and neutralizing antibodies in sera, but mucosal immunity remains understudied. In this cohort study, the humoral immune responses, including immunoglobulin levels and the presence of virus-neutralizing antibodies, of 92 vaccinated and/or BA.1/BA.2 convalescent individuals were investigated. Cohorts received two doses of ChAdOx1, BNT162b2, or mRNA-1273 and subsequent booster vaccination with either BNT162b2 or mRNA-1273, following BA.1/BA.2 infection. In addition, vaccinated and nonconvalescent or unvaccinated and BA.1 convalescent individuals were studied. Serum and saliva samples were used to determine SARS-CoV-2 spike-specific IgG and IgA titers and neutralizing activity against replication-competent SARS-CoV-2 wild-type virus and the Omicron BA.4/5 variant. Vaccinated/convalescent cohorts demonstrated strongest neutralization against BA.4/5, with 50% neutralization titer (NT50) values reaching 174.2; however, neutralization was reduced up to 11-fold, compared to wild-type virus. Both BA.1 convalescent and vaccinated nonconvalescent cohorts displayed the weakest neutralization against BA.4/5, with NT50 values being reduced to 4.6, accompanied by lower numbers of positive neutralizers. Additionally, salivary neutralization against wild-type virus was strongest in vaccinated and BA.2 convalescent subjects, but this elevated neutralization efficiency was lost when challenged with BA.4/5. Our data support the contention that current coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines efficiently induce humoral immunity. However, antiviral effectiveness in serum and saliva is greatly reduced against novel variants of concern. These results suggest an adjustment of current vaccine strategies to an adapted or alternative vaccine delivery, such as mucosal booster vaccinations, which might establish enhanced or even sterilizing immunity against novel SARS-CoV-2 variants. IMPORTANCE Rising incidences of breakthrough infections caused by SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA.4/5 have been observed. Although various studies were conducted investigating neutralizing antibodies in sera, mucosal immunity was barely evaluated. Here, we investigated mucosal immunity, since the presence of neutralizing antibodies at mucosal entry sites plays a fundamental role in disease limitation. We found strong induction of serum IgG/IgA, salivary IgA, and neutralization against SARS-CoV-2 wild-type virus in vaccinated/convalescent subjects but detected 10-fold reduced (albeit positive) serum neutralization against BA.4/5. Interestingly, vaccinated and BA.2 convalescent patients demonstrated the greatest serum neutralization against BA.4/5, but this advantageous neutralizing effect was not observed in the saliva. Our data support the contention that current COVID-19 vaccines are very efficient against severe/critical disease progression. Moreover, these results suggest an adjustment of the current vaccine strategy to adapted and alternative vaccine delivery, such as mucosal booster vaccinations, to establish robust sterilizing immunity against novel SARS-CoV-2 variants.

Antiviral drugs block replication of highly immune-evasive Omicron subvariants ex vivo, but fail to reduce tissue inflammation.

The identification of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variants BA.4/BA.5, BF.7 and BQ.1.1 immediately raised concerns regarding the efficacy of currently used monoclonal antibody therapies. Here we examined the activity of monoclonal antibody therapies and antiviral drugs against clinical specimens for SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA.4/BA.5, BF.7 and BQ.1.1 employing an immunofluorescence neutralization assay. Further we explored treatment of BA.4/BA.5 infections with efficient antiviral drugs and monoclonal antibodies in a 3D model of primary human bronchial epithelial cells. We found that the antiviral drugs Molnupiravir, Nirmatrelvir and Remdesivir efficiently inhibit BA.4/BA.5, BF.7 and BQ.1.1 replication. In contrast, only the monoclonal antibody Cilgavimab exerted an inhibitory effect, while Tixagevimab, Regdanvimab and Sotrovimab lost their efficacy against BA.4/BA.5. We found that only the prophylactic treatment with Cilgavimab impacted on tissue inflammation by reducing intracellular complement component 3 (C3) activation following BA.4/BA.5 infection in primary human airway epithelial grown in air-liquid-interphase, which was not the case when using antiviral drugs or Cilgavimab after establishment of infection. Of note, all tested monoclonal antibodies had no neutralizing activity during infection by BF.7 and BQ.1.1 variants. Our results suggest that despite a marked reduction of viral replication, potent antiviral drugs fail to reduce tissue levels of inflammatory compounds such as C3, which can still result in tissue destruction.

GlyPerA™ effectively shields airway epithelia from SARS-CoV-2 infection and inflammatory events.

New SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOCs) and waning immunity illustrate that quick and easy-to-use agents are needed to prevent infection. To protect from viral transmission and subsequent inflammatory reactions, we applied GlyperA™, a novel antimicrobial formulation that can be used as mouth gargling solution or as nasal spray, to highly differentiated human airway epithelia prior infection with Omicron VOCs BA.1 and BA.2. This formulation fully protected polarized human epithelium cultured in air-liquid interphase (ALI) from SARS-CoV-2-mediated tissue destruction and infection upon single application up to two days post infection. Moreover, inflammatory reactions induced by the Omicron VOCs were significantly lowered in tissue equivalents either pre-treated with the GlyperA™ solution, or even when added simultaneously. Thus, the GlyperA™ formulation significantly shielded epithelial integrity, successfully blocked infection with Omicron and release of viral particles, and decreased intracellular complement C3 activation within human airway epithelial cell cultures. Crucially, our in vitro data imply that GlyperA™ may be a simple tool to prevent from SARS-CoV-2 infection independent on the circulating variant via both, mouth and nose.

Immunity of Heterologously and Homologously Boosted or Convalescent Individuals Against Omicron BA.1, BA.2, and BA.4/5 Variants.

BACKGROUND: The emerged severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Omicron variants BA.1, BA.2, and BA.4/5 demonstrate higher transmission and infection rates than previous variants of concern. To evaluate effectiveness of heterologous and homologous booster vaccination, we directly compared cellular and humoral immune responses as well as neutralizing capacity against replication-competent SARS-CoV-2 wild type, Delta, and Omicron variants BA.1, BA.2, and BA.4/5. METHODS: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells and serum samples from 137 participants were investigated, in 3 major groups. Individuals in the first group were vaccinated twice with ChAdOx1 and boosted with a messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccine (BNT162b2 or mRNA-1273); the second group included triple mRNA--vaccinated participants, and the third group, twice-vaccinated and convalescent individuals. RESULTS: Vaccination and convalescence resulted in the highest SARS-CoV-2-specific antibody levels, stronger T-cell responses, and best neutralization against wild type, Delta Omicron BA.2, and BA.4/5, while a combination of ChAdOx1 and BNT162b2 vaccination elevated neutralizing capacity against Omicron BA.1. In addition, heterologous booster regimens, compared with homologous regimens, showed higher efficacy against Omicron BA.2 as well as BA.4/5. CONCLUSIONS: We showed that twice-vaccinated and convalescent individuals demonstrated the strongest immunity against Omicron BA.2 and BA.4/5 variant, followed by those receiving heterologous and homologous booster vaccine regimens.

Guidelines for visualization and analysis of DC in tissues using multiparameter fluorescence microscopy imaging methods.

This article is part of the Dendritic Cell Guidelines article series, which provides a collection of state-of-the-art protocols for the preparation, phenotype analysis by flow cytometry, generation, fluorescence microscopy, and functional characterization of mouse and human dendritic cells (DC) from lymphoid organs and various non-lymphoid tissues. Here, we provide detailed procedures for a variety of multiparameter fluorescence microscopy imaging methods to explore the spatial organization of DC in tissues and to dissect how DC migrate, communicate, and mediate their multiple functional roles in immunity in a variety of tissue settings. The protocols presented here entail approaches to study DC dynamics and T cell cross-talk by intravital microscopy, large-scale visualization, identification, and quantitative analysis of DC subsets and their functions by multiparameter fluorescence microscopy of fixed tissue sections, and an approach to study DC interactions with tissue cells in a 3D cell culture model. While all protocols were written by experienced scientists who routinely use them in their work, this article was also peer-reviewed by leading experts and approved by all co-authors, making it an essential resource for basic and clinical DC immunologists.

Serum Neutralization Against SARS-CoV-2 Variants Is Heterogenic and Depends on Vaccination Regimen.

Omicron variants are still the dominant SARS-CoV-2 viruses worldwide, therefore determination of the level of protection from infection and severe disease is essential. Here, we investigated humoral and cellular immunity of individuals immunized by ChAdOx1, BNT162b2, and mRNA-1273 and our results show that IgG and neutralization titers wane over time. However, strongest neutralization against Omicron BA.1 and T-cell responses were detected in ChAdOx1 vaccinees 6 months after the second dose, while no long-lasting neutralization was shown against BA.2 in any cohort. Crucially, our investigation revealed that immunity against variants of concern is heterogenic and dependent on the immunization status.

ColdZyme® protects airway epithelia from infection with BA.4/5.

Vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 protect from critical or severe pathogenesis also against new variants of concern (VOCs) such as BA.4 and BA.5, but immediate interventions to avoid viral transmission and subsequent inflammatory reactions are needed. Here we applied the ColdZyme® medical device mouth spray to fully differentiated, polarized human epithelium cultured at an air-liquid interphase (ALI). We found using VOCs BA.1 and BA.4/5 that this device effectively blocked respiratory tissue infection. While infection with these VOCs resulted in intracellular complement activation, thus enhanced inflammation, and drop of transepithelial resistance, these phenomena were prevented by a single administration of this medical device. Thus, ColdZyme® mouth spray significantly shields epithelial integrity, hinders virus infection and blocks in a secondary effect intrinsic complement activation within airway cultures also in terms of the highly contagious VOCs BA.4/5. Crucially, our in vitro data suggest that ColdZyme® mouth spray may have an impact to protect against SARS-CoV-2 transmission, also in case of the Omicron BA.1, BA.4 and BA.5 variants.

Wastewater surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 in Austria: development, implementation, and operation of the Tyrolean wastewater monitoring program.

Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) is an effective approach for tracking information on spatial distribution and temporal trends of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) at the community level. Herein, the development, implementation, and operation of the wastewater monitoring program serving Tyrol - a federal province of Austria - are described. The development of this program was initiated by Tyrolean health authorities at the end of the first phase of the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic (May 2020). In close co-operation with the water sector and academic institutions, efficient and effective workflows and processes for wastewater surveillance were established. The monitoring program went into operation in November 2020. By the end of July 2021, a total of 5,270 wastewater influent samples collected at 43 sites were analyzed. The monitoring program provided valuable insights into the development of the pandemic situation in Tyrol and fulfilled several tasks that are of importance in different phases of the pandemic. It represented an early-warning system, provided independent confirmation of temporal trends in COVID-19 prevalence, enabled the assessment of the effectiveness of measures, alerted about bursts of disease activity, and provided evidence for the absence of COVID-19. These findings underline the importance of establishing national wastewater monitoring programs as a complementary source of information for efficient and effective pandemic management.

One-Year Follow-Up of COVID-19 Patients Indicates Substantial Assay-Dependent Differences in the Kinetics of SARS-CoV-2 Antibodies.

Determination of antibody levels against the nucleocapsid (N) and spike (S) proteins of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) are used to estimate the humoral immune response after SARS-CoV-2 infection or vaccination. Differences in the design and specification of antibody assays challenge the interpretation of test results, and comparative studies are often limited to single time points per patient. We determined the longitudinal kinetics of antibody levels of 145 unvaccinated coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients at four visits over 1 year upon convalescence using 8 commercial SARS-CoV-2 antibody assays (from Abbott, DiaSorin, Roche, Siemens, and Technoclone), as well as a virus neutralization test (VNT). A linear regression model was used to investigate whether antibody results obtained in the first 6 months after disease onset could predict the VNT results at 12 months. Spike protein-specific antibody tests showed good correlation to the VNT at individual time points (rS, 0.74 to 0.92). While longitudinal assay comparison with the Roche Elecsys anti-SARS-CoV-2 S test showed almost constant antibody concentrations over 12 months, the VNT and all other tests indicated a decline in serum antibody levels (median decrease to 14% to 36% of baseline). The antibody level at 3 months was the best predictor of the VNT results at 12 months after disease onset. The current standardization to a WHO calibrator for normalization to binding antibody units (BAU) is not sufficient for the harmonization of SARS-CoV-2 antibody tests. Assay-specific differences in absolute values and trends over time need to be considered when interpreting the course of antibody levels in patients. IMPORTANCE Determination of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 will play an important role in detecting a sufficient immune response. Although all the manufacturers expressed antibody levels in binding antibody units per milliliter, thus suggesting comparable results, we found discrepant behavior between the eight investigated assays when we followed the antibody levels in a cohort of 145 convalescent patients over 1 year. While one assay yielded constant antibody levels, the others showed decreasing antibody levels to a varying extent. Therefore, the comparability of the assays must be improved regarding the long-term kinetics of antibody levels. This is a prerequisite for establishing reliable antibody level cutoffs for sufficient individual protection against SARS-CoV-2.

Cilgavimab/Tixagevimab as alternative therapeutic approach for BA.2 infections.

Objectives: The identification of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variants BA.1 and BA.2 immediately raised concerns about the efficacy of currently used monoclonal antibody therapies. Here, we analyzed the activity of Sotrovimab and Regdanvimab, which are used in clinics for treatment of moderate to severe SARS-CoV-2 infections, and Cilgavimab/Tixagevimab, which are approved for prophylactic use, against BA.1 and BA.2 in a 3D model of primary human bronchial epithelial cells. Methods: Primary human airway epithelia (HAE) cells in a 3D tissue model were infected with clinical isolates of SARS-CoV-2 Delta, BA.1 or BA.2. To mimic the therapeutic use of mAbs, we added Regdanvimab, Sotrovimab or Cilgavimab/Tixagevimab 6 h after infection. In order to mirror the prophylactic use of Cilgavimab/Tixagevimab, we added this compound 6 h prior to infection to the fully differentiated, pseudostratified epithelia cultured in air-liquid interphase (ALI). Results: We observed that Sotrovimab, but not Regdanvimab, is active against BA.1; however, both antibodies lose their efficacy against BA.2. In contrast, we found that BA.2 was sensitive to neutralization by the approved prophylactic administration and the therapeutic use, which is not yet permitted, of Cilgavimab/Tixagevimab. Conclusion: Importantly, while the use of Tixagevimab/Cilgavimab is effective in controlling BA.2 but not BA.1 infection, monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) with efficacy against BA.1 are ineffective to reduce BA.2 virus replication in a human lung model. Our data may have implications on the variant specific clinical use of monoclonal antibodies.