Antibody binding and neutralization of live SARS-CoV-2 variants including BA.4/5 following booster vaccination of patients with B-cell malignancies.

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (NHL/CLL) patients elicit inadequate antibody responses after initial SARS-CoV-2 vaccination and remain at high risk of severe COVID-19 disease. We investigated IgG, IgA, and IgM responses after booster vaccination against recent SARS-CoV-2 variants including Omicron BA.5 in 67 patients. Patients had lower fold increase and total anti-spike binding titers after booster than healthy individuals. Antibody responses negatively correlated with recent anti-CD20 therapy and low B cell numbers. Antibodies generated after booster demonstrated similar binding properties against SARS-CoV-2 variants compared to those generated by healthy controls with lower binding against Omicron variants. Importantly, 43% of patients showed anti-Omicron BA.1 neutralizing antibodies after booster and all these patients also had anti-Omicron BA.5 neutralizing antibodies. NHL/CLL patients demonstrated inferior antibody responses after booster vaccination, particularly against Omicron variants. Prioritization of prophylactic and treatment agents and vaccination of patients and close contacts with updated vaccine formulations are essential.

Occupational shoulder disability: functional recovery after decompression and neurolysis of the upper brachial plexus and the long thoracic nerve.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to assess the surgical outcomes of patients with work-related upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders (UE-MSDs) who failed conservative treatment. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This was a retrospective study of 17 patients who had work-related UE-MSDs and underwent the following surgeries and follow-up evaluations: decompression, external and internal neurolysis of the upper trunk of the brachial plexus and the long thoracic nerve (LTN), and a partial resection of the anterior and middle scalene muscle. A detailed history of clinical presentation including pain, physical and clinical examinations of the extent of scapular winging (ESW), and upper extremity anatomical postures, such as active forward arm flexion and shoulder abduction, were recorded before and after 3 months of the surgery. Nerve conduction velocity and electromyography examination reports were obtained to assess the sensory or motor loss of the nerve injury before their operation. RESULTS: All 17 patients included in this report showed some improvement anatomically in the scapula appearance and functionally in their shoulder movements. More specifically, 9 (53%) patients got a restored to near healthy appearance of the scapula, and 11 (65%) patients recovered a full range of motion, 180° post-surgically. Overall, the mean shoulder flexion and abduction improved to 157±37.5° and 155±40.2° after the surgery from 106±30.2° and 111±34.8°, respectively (p < 0.0001). The ESW score also significantly improved from a mean of 1.5±0.51 to 3.5±0.71 (p < 0.0001). The post-surgical improvements were statistically highly significant (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Decompression and neurolysis of the upper brachial plexus and the LTN, and the partial release of the scalene muscle contracture procedures have fostered improvements in the shoulder anatomical appearance and movements in all 17 patients. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2021;34(3):427-35.