Quantity and Quality of Naturally Acquired Antibody Immunity to the Pneumococcal Proteome Throughout Life.

BACKGROUND: Young children and older adults are susceptible for invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae. Pneumococcal protein-specific antibodies play a protective role against IPD; however, not much is known about the pace of acquisition, maturation, and maintenance of these antibodies throughout life. METHODS: Immunoglobulin G (IgG) and IgA levels, avidity, and/or specificity to the pneumococcal proteome in serum and saliva from healthy young children, adults, and older adults, with known carriage status, were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and 2-dimensional western blotting against ΔcpsTIGR4. RESULTS: Eleven-month-old children, the youngest age group tested, had the lowest pneumococcal proteome-specific IgG and IgA levels and avidity in serum and saliva, followed by 24-month-old children and were further elevated in adult groups. Among adult groups, the parents had the highest serum and saliva IgG and IgA antibody levels. In children, antibody levels and avidity correlated with daycare attendance and presence of siblings, posing as proxy for exposure and immunization. Immunodominance patterns slightly varied throughout life. CONCLUSIONS: Humoral immunity against the pneumococcal proteome is acquired through multiple episodes of pneumococcal exposure. Low-level and low-avidity antiproteome antibody profiles in young children may contribute to their IPD susceptibility, while in overall antiproteome antibody-proficient older adults other factors likely play a role.

Serological profiling of pneumococcal proteins reveals unique patterns of acquisition, maintenance and waning of antibodies throughout life.

Streptococcus pneumoniae is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in children and older adults. Yet knowledge on the development of pneumococcal protein-specific antibody responses throughout life is limited. To investigate this, we measured serum IgG levels to 55 pneumococcal proteins in 11-month old infants (n=73), 24-month old children (n=101), parents (n=99), adults without children <6 years of age (n= 99) and older adults aged >60 years (n=100). Our findings revealed low IgG levels in infancy, with distinct development patterns peaking in adults. A decrease in levels was observed for 27 antigens towards older age. Adults and older adults had increased IgG levels during pneumococcal carriage and at increased exposure risk to S. pneumoniae. Carriage was a stronger predictor than exposure or age for antibody responses. These findings highlight the dynamic nature of naturally acquired humoral immunity to pneumococcal proteins throughout life, offering insights for age-targeted interventions.

Saliva as an alternative sample type for detection of pneumococcal carriage in young children.

For children, the gold standard for the detection of pneumococcal carriage is conventional culture of a nasopharyngeal swab. Saliva, however, has a history as one of the most sensitive methods for surveillance of pneumococcal colonization and has recently been shown to improve carriage detection in older age groups. Here, we compared the sensitivity of paired nasopharyngeal and saliva samples from PCV7-vaccinated 24-month-old children for pneumococcal carriage detection using conventional and molecular detection methods. Nasopharyngeal and saliva samples were collected from 288 24-month-old children during the autumn/winter, 2012/2013. All samples were first processed by conventional diagnostic culture. Next, DNA extracted from all plate growth was tested by qPCR for the presence of the pneumococcal genes piaB and lytA and a subset of serotypes. By culture, 161/288 (60 %) nasopharyngeal swabs tested positive for pneumococcus, but detection was not possible from saliva due to abundant polymicrobial growth on culture plates. By qPCR, 155/288 (54 %) culture-enriched saliva samples and 187/288 (65 %) nasopharyngeal swabs tested positive. Altogether, 219/288 (76 %) infants tested positive for pneumococcus, with qPCR-based carriage detection of culture-enriched nasopharyngeal swabs detecting significantly more carriers compared to either conventional culture (P<0.001) or qPCR detection of saliva (P=0.002). However, 32/219 (15 %) carriers were only positive in saliva, contributing significantly to the overall number of carriers detected (P=0.002). While testing nasopharyngeal swabs by qPCR proved most sensitive for pneumococcal detection in infants, saliva sampling could be considered as complementary to provide additional information on carriage and serotypes that may not be detected in the nasopharynx and may be particularly useful in longitudinal studies, requiring repeated sampling of study participants.

Difference in respiratory syncytial virus-specific Fc-mediated antibody effector functions between children and adults.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections are a major cause of bronchiolitis and pneumonia in infants and older adults, for which there is no known correlate of protection. Increasing evidence suggests that Fc-mediated antibody effector functions have an important role, but little is known about the development, heterogeneity, and durability of these functional responses. In light of future vaccine strategies, a clear view of the immunological background and differences between various target populations is of crucial importance. In this study, we have assessed both quantitative and qualitative aspects of RSV-specific serum antibodies, including IgG/IgA levels, IgG subclasses, antibody-dependent complement deposition, cellular phagocytosis, and NK cell activation (ADNKA). Samples were collected cross-sectionally in different age groups (11-, 24-, and 46-month-old children, adults, and older adults; n = 31-35 per group) and longitudinally following natural RSV infection in (older) adults (2-36 months post-infection; n = 10). We found that serum of 24-month-old children induces significantly lower ADNKA than the serum of adults (P < 0.01), which is not explained by antibody levels. Furthermore, in (older) adults we observed boosting of antibody levels and functionality at 2-3 months after RSV infection, except for ADNKA. The strongest decrease was subsequently observed within the first 9 months, after which levels remained relatively stable up to three years post-infection. Together, these data provide a comprehensive overview of the functional landscape of RSV-specific serum antibodies in the human population, highlighting that while antibodies reach adult levels already at a young age, ADNKA requires more time to fully develop.

mRNA-1273 COVID-19 vaccination in patients receiving chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or chemoimmunotherapy for solid tumours: a prospective, multicentre, non-inferiority trial.

BACKGROUND: Patients with cancer have an increased risk of complications from SARS-CoV-2 infection. Vaccination to prevent COVID-19 is recommended, but data on the immunogenicity and safety of COVID-19 vaccines for patients with solid tumours receiving systemic cancer treatment are scarce. Therefore, we aimed to assess the impact of immunotherapy, chemotherapy, and chemoimmunotherapy on the immunogenicity and safety of the mRNA-1273 (Moderna Biotech, Madrid, Spain) COVID-19 vaccine as part of the Vaccination Against COVID in Cancer (VOICE) trial. METHODS: This prospective, multicentre, non-inferiority trial was done across three centres in the Netherlands. Individuals aged 18 years or older with a life expectancy of more than 12 months were enrolled into four cohorts: individuals without cancer (cohort A [control cohort]), and patients with solid tumours, regardless of stage and histology, treated with immunotherapy (cohort B), chemotherapy (cohort C), or chemoimmunotherapy (cohort D). Participants received two mRNA-1273 vaccinations of 100 µg in 0·5 mL intramuscularly, 28 days apart. The primary endpoint, analysed per protocol (excluding patients with a positive baseline sample [>10 binding antibody units (BAU)/mL], indicating previous SARS-CoV-2 infection), was defined as the SARS-CoV-2 spike S1-specific IgG serum antibody response (ie, SARS-CoV-2-binding antibody concentration of >10 BAU/mL) 28 days after the second vaccination. For the primary endpoint analysis, a non-inferiority design with a margin of 10% was used. We also assessed adverse events in all patients who received at least one vaccination, and recorded solicited adverse events in participants who received at least one vaccination but excluding those who already had seroconversion (>10 BAU/mL) at baseline. This study is ongoing and is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04715438. FINDINGS: Between Feb 17 and March 12, 2021, 791 participants were enrolled and followed up for a median of 122 days (IQR 118 to 128). A SARS-CoV-2-binding antibody response was found in 240 (100%; 95% CI 98 to 100) of 240 evaluable participants in cohort A, 130 (99%; 96 to >99) of 131 evaluable patients in cohort B, 223 (97%; 94 to 99) of 229 evaluable patients in cohort C, and 143 (100%; 97 to 100) of 143 evaluable patients in cohort D. The SARS-CoV-2-binding antibody response in each patient cohort was non-inferior compared with cohort A. No new safety signals were observed. Grade 3 or worse serious adverse events occurred in no participants in cohort A, three (2%) of 137 patients in cohort B, six (2%) of 244 patients in cohort C, and one (1%) of 163 patients in cohort D, with four events (two of fever, and one each of diarrhoea and febrile neutropenia) potentially related to the vaccination. There were no vaccine-related deaths. INTERPRETATION: Most patients with cancer develop, while receiving chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or both for a solid tumour, an adequate antibody response to vaccination with the mRNA-1273 COVID-19 vaccine. The vaccine is also safe in these patients. The minority of patients with an inadequate response after two vaccinations might benefit from a third vaccination. FUNDING: ZonMw, The Netherlands Organisation for Health Research and Development.

Influenza-like Illness Exacerbates Pneumococcal Carriage in Older Adults.

BACKGROUND: In older adults, pneumococcal disease is strongly associated with respiratory viral infections, but the impact of viruses on Streptococcus pneumoniae carriage prevalence and load remains poorly understood. Here, we investigated the effects of influenza-like illness (ILI) on pneumococcal carriage in community-dwelling older adults. METHODS: We investigated the presence of pneumococcal DNA in saliva samples collected in the 2014/2015 influenza season from 232 individuals aged ≥60 years at ILI onset, followed by sampling 2-3 weeks and 7-9 weeks after the first sample. We also sampled 194 age-matched controls twice 2-3 weeks apart. Pneumococcal DNA was detected with quantitative polymerase chain reaction assays targeting the piaB and lytA genes in raw and in culture-enriched saliva. Bacterial and pneumococcal abundances were determined in raw saliva with 16S and piaB quantification. RESULTS: The prevalence of pneumococcus-positive samples was highest at onset of ILI (42/232 [18%]) and lowest among controls (26/194 [13%] and 22/194 [11%] at the first and second samplings, respectively), though these differences were not significant. Pneumococcal carriage was associated with exposure to young children (odds ratio [OR], 2.71 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 1.51-5.02]; P < .001), and among asymptomatic controls with presence of rhinovirus infection (OR, 4.23 [95% CI, 1.16-14.22]; P < .05). When compared with carriers among controls, pneumococcal absolute abundances were significantly higher at onset of ILI (P < .01), and remained elevated beyond recovery from ILI (P < .05). Finally, pneumococcal abundances were highest in carriage events newly detected after ILI onset (estimated geometric mean, 1.21 × 10-5 [95% CI, 2.48 × 10-7 to 2.41 × 10-5], compared with preexisting carriage). CONCLUSIONS: ILI exacerbates pneumococcal colonization of the airways in older adults, and this effect persists beyond recovery from ILI.

Study protocol of the PIMPI-project, a cohort study on acceptance, tolerability and immunogenicity of second trimester maternal pertussis immunization in relation to term and preterm infants.

BACKGROUND: Maternal immunization confers passive immunity to the fetus by transplacental antibody transfer. Infants may be better protected against pertussis if the mother received a diphtheriae, tetanus and acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccination in the second trimester of pregnancy compared to the third trimester. This study evaluates IgG antibody concentrations in term and preterm infants at birth and 2 months after birth after maternal Tdap-vaccination between 200 and 240 w of gestation vs third trimester Tdap-vaccination. Further aims are assessing the determinants that underlie acceptance of second trimester maternal Tdap-vaccination as well as the tolerability of vaccination. METHODS: This prospective cohort study consists of two parts. In the acceptance part, pregnant women complete a questionnaire on determinants that underlie acceptance of a second trimester Tdap-vaccination, which is offered subsequently between 200 and 240 w of gestation. Vaccinated women complete an additional questionnaire on vaccination tolerability. Vaccinated women may also participate in the immunogenicity part, in which blood is drawn from mother at delivery and from infant at birth and 2 months after birth. Women are also eligible for the immunogenicity part if they received a Tdap-vaccination between 200 and 240 w of gestation via the national immunization program and get hospitalized for an imminent preterm delivery. Blood sampling continues until 60 term and 60 preterm mother-infant-pairs have been included. Pertussis-specific IgG antibody concentrations are determined in serum using a fluorescent bead-based multiplex immunoassay. For term infants, non-inferiority in IgG antibody concentrations against pertussis toxin (anti-PT) will be assessed referred to a historical control group in which mothers were Tdap-vaccinated between 300 and 320 w of gestation. For preterm infants, non-inferiority of anti-PT IgG concentrations is referred to as 85% of infants having ≥ 20 international units/mL at 2 months after birth. DISCUSSION: This study investigates acceptance, tolerability and immunogenicity regarding maternal Tdap-immunization between 200 and 240 w of gestation. Its results provide insight into the effects of second trimester Tdap-vaccination on IgG antibody concentrations in term and preterm infants before primary infant vaccinations. Results on acceptance and tolerability guide antenatal care providers in communication with pregnant women and maintain the safety of second trimester Tdap-vaccination. TRIAL REGISTRATION: EU Clinical Trials Register, 2018-002976-41, retrospectively registered 24 July 2019, https://www.clinicaltrialsregister.eu/ctr-search/search?query=2018-002976-41 .

Early Measles Vaccination During an Outbreak in the Netherlands: Short-Term and Long-Term Decreases in Antibody Responses Among Children Vaccinated Before 12 Months of Age.

BACKGROUND: The majority of infants will not be protected by maternal antibodies until their first measles vaccination, between 12 and 15 months of age. This provides incentive to reduce the age at measles vaccination, but immunological consequences are insufficiently understood, and long-term effects are largely unknown. METHODS: A total of 79 infants who received early measles vaccination between 6 and 12 months age and a second dose at 14 months of age were compared to 44 children in a control group who received 1 dose at 14 months of age. Measles virus-specific neutralizing antibody concentrations and avidity were determined up to 4 years of age. RESULTS: Infants who first received measles vaccination before 12 months of age had a long-term decrease in the concentration and avidity of measles virus-specific neutralizing antibodies, compared with infants in the control group. For 11.1% of children with a first dose before 9 months of age, antibody levels at 4 years of age had dropped below the cutoff for clinical protection. CONCLUSIONS: Early measles vaccination provides immediate protection in the majority of infants but yields a long-term decrease in neutralizing antibody responses, compared to vaccination at a later age. Additional vaccination at 14 months of age does not improve this. Over the long term, this may result in an increasing number of children susceptible to measles.

Prediction and Validation of Immunogenic Domains of Pneumococcal Proteins Recognized by Human CD4+ T Cells.

CD4+ T-cell mechanisms are implied in protection against pneumococcal colonization; however, their target antigens and function are not well defined. In contrast to high-throughput protein arrays for serology, basic antigen tools for CD4+ T-cell studies are lacking. Here, we evaluate the potential of a bioinformatics tool for in silico prediction of immunogenicity as a method to reveal domains of pneumococcal proteins targeted by human CD4+ T cells. For 100 pneumococcal proteins, CD4+ T-cell immunogenicity was predicted based on HLA-DRB1 binding motifs. For 20 potentially CD4+ T-cell immunogenic proteins, epitope regions were verified by testing synthetic peptides in T-cell assays using peripheral blood mononuclear cells from healthy adults. Peptide pools of 19 out of 20 proteins evoked T-cell responses. The most frequent responses (detectable in ≥20% of donors tested) were found to SP_0117 (PspA), SP_0468 (putative sortase), SP_0546 (BlpZ), SP_1650 (PsaA), SP_1923 (Ply), SP_2048 (conserved hypothetical protein), SP_2216 (PscB), and SPR_0907 (PhtD). Responding donors had diverging recognition patterns and profiles of signature cytokines (gamma interferon [IFN-γ], tumor necrosis factor alpha [TNF-α], interleukin-13 [IL-13], and/or IL-17A) against single-epitope regions. Natural HLA-DR-restricted presentation and recognition of a predicted SP_1923-derived epitope were validated through the isolation of a CD4+ T-cell clone producing IFN-γ, TNF-α, and IL-17A in response to the synthetic peptide, whole protein, and heat-inactivated pneumococcus. This proof of principle for a bioinformatics tool to identify pneumococcal protein epitopes targeted by human CD4+ T cells provides a peptide-based strategy to study cell-mediated immune mechanisms for the pneumococcal proteome, advancing the development of immunomonitoring assays and targeted vaccine approaches.

Influenza-like Illness Incidence Is Not Reduced by Influenza Vaccination in a Cohort of Older Adults, Despite Effectively Reducing Laboratory-Confirmed Influenza Virus Infections.

Background: Data on the relative contribution of influenza virus and other respiratory pathogens to respiratory infections in community-dwelling older adults (≥60 years) are needed. Methods: A prospective observational cohort study was performed in the Netherlands during 2 winters. Nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal swabs were collected during influenza-like illness (ILI) episodes and from controls. Viruses and bacteria were identified by multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification assay and conventional bacterial culture. Results: The ILI incidence in the consecutive seasons was 7.2% and 11.6%, and influenza virus caused 18.9% and 34.2% of ILI episodes. Potential pathogen were detected in 80% of the ILI events with influenza virus, coronaviruses, rhinoviruses, human metapneumovirus, respiratory syncytial virus, parainfluenza viruses, and Haemophilus influenzae being the most common. Influenza vaccination reduced influenza virus infection by 73% (95% confidence interval [CI], 26%-90%) and 51% (95% CI, 7%-74%) in ILI patients. However, ILI incidence was similar between vaccinated (7.6% and 10.8%) and nonvaccinated (4.2% and 11.4%) participants in 2011-2012 and 2012-2013, respectively (P > .05). Conclusions: Influenza virus is a frequent pathogen in older adults with ILI. Vaccination reduces the number of influenza virus infections but not the overall number of ILI episodes: other pathogens fill the gap. We suggest the existence of a pool of individuals with high susceptibility to respiratory infections. Clinical Trials Registration: NTR3386.

Differential B-cell memory around the 11-month booster in children vaccinated with a 10- or 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine.

BACKGROUND: Both the 10- and 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCV10 and PCV13) induce immunological memory against Streptococcus pneumoniae infections caused by vaccine serotypes. In addition to comparing serum antibody levels, we investigated frequencies of serotype-specific plasma cells (PCs) and memory B-cells (Bmems) as potential predictors of long-term immunity around the booster vaccination at 11 months of age. METHODS: Infants were immunized with PCV10 or PCV13 at 2, 3, 4, and 11 months of age. Blood was collected before the 11-month booster or 7-9 days afterward. Serotype-specific immunoglobulin G (IgG) levels were determined in serum samples by multiplex immunoassay. Circulating specific PCs and Bmems against shared serotypes 1, 6B, 7F, and 19F and against PCV13 serotypes 6A and 19A were measured in peripheral blood mononuclear cells by enzyme-linked immunospot assay. RESULTS: No major differences in IgG levels and PC frequencies between groups were found for the 4 shared serotypes. Notably, PCV13 vaccination resulted in higher frequencies of Bmems than PCV10 vaccination, both before and after the booster dose, for all 4 shared serotypes except for serotype 1 postbooster. For PCV13-specific serotypes 6A and 19A, the IgG levels and frequencies of PCs and Bmems were higher in the PCV13 group, pre- and postbooster, except for PC frequencies prebooster. CONCLUSIONS: Both PCVs are immunogenic and induce measurable IgG, PC, and Bmem booster responses at 11 months. Compared to PCV10, vaccination with PCV13 was associated with overall similar IgG levels and PC frequencies but with higher Bmem frequencies before and after the 11-month booster. The clinical implications of these results need further follow-up. CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION: NTR3069.

Seven-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine and nasopharyngeal microbiota in healthy children.

Seven-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV-7) is effective against vaccine serotype disease and carriage. Nevertheless, shifts in colonization and disease toward nonvaccine serotypes and other potential pathogens have been described. To understand the extent of these shifts, we analyzed nasopharyngeal microbial profiles of 97 PCV-7-vaccinated infants and 103 control infants participating in a randomized controlled trial in the Netherlands. PCV-7 immunization resulted in a temporary shift in microbial community composition and increased bacterial diversity. Immunization also resulted in decreased presence of the pneumococcal vaccine serotype and an increase in the relative abundance and presence of nonpneumococcal streptococci and anaerobic bacteria. Furthermore, the abundance of Haemophilus and Staphylococcus bacteria in vaccinees was increased over that in controls. This study illustrates the much broader effect of vaccination with PCV-7 on the microbial community than currently assumed, and highlights the need for careful monitoring when implementing vaccines directed against common colonizers.

Prevalence of human respiratory pathogens and associated mucosal cytokine levels in young children and adults: a cross-sectional observational study in the Netherlands during the winter of 2012/2013.

Respiratory pathogens can cause severe disease and even death, especially in the very young and very old. Studies investigating their prevalence often focus on individuals presenting to healthcare providers with symptoms. However, the design of prevention strategies, e.g. which target groups to vaccinate, will benefit from knowledge on the prevalence of, risk factors for and host response to these pathogens in the general population. In this study, upper respiratory samples (n = 1311) were collected cross-sectionally during winter from 11- and 24-month old children, their parents, and adults ≥60 years of age that were recruited irrespective of seeking medical care. Almost all children, approximately two-thirds of parents and a quarter of older adults tested positive for at least one pathogen, often in the absence of symptoms. Viral interference was evident for the combination of rhinovirus and respiratory syncytial virus. Attending childcare facilities and having siblings associated with increased pathogen counts in children. On average, children showed increased levels of mucosal cytokines compared to parents and especially proinflammatory molecules associated with the presence of symptoms. These findings may guide further research into transmission patterns of respiratory pathogens and assist in determining the most appropriate strategies for the prediction and prevention of disease.

Impact of age on pneumococcal colonization of the nasopharynx and oral cavity: an ecological perspective.

Pneumococcal carriage studies have suggested that pneumococcal colonization in adults is largely limited to the oral cavity and oropharynx. In this study, we used total abundance-based ß-diversity (dissimilarity) and ß-diversity components to characterize age-related differences in pneumococcal serotype composition of respiratory samples. quantitative PCR (qPCR) was applied to detect pneumococcal serotypes in nasopharyngeal samples collected from 946 toddlers and 602 adults, saliva samples collected from a subset of 653 toddlers, and saliva and oropharyngeal samples collected from a subset of 318 adults. Bacterial culture rates from nasopharyngeal samples were used to characterize age-related differences in rates of colonizing bacteria. Dissimilarity in pneumococcal serotype composition was low among saliva and nasopharyngeal samples from children. In contrast, respiratory samples from adults exhibited high serotype dissimilarity, which predominantly consisted of abundance gradients and was associated with reduced nasopharyngeal colonization. Age-related serotype dissimilarity was high among nasopharyngeal samples and relatively low for saliva samples. Reduced nasopharyngeal colonization by pneumococcal serotypes coincided with significantly reduced Moraxella catarrhalis and Haemophilus influenzae and increased Staphylococcus aureus nasopharyngeal colonization rates among adults. Findings from this study suggest that within-host environmental conditions, utilized in the upper airways by pneumococcus and other bacteria, undergo age-related changes. It may result in a host-driven ecological succession of bacterial species colonizing the nasopharynx and lead to competitive exclusion of pneumococcus from the nasopharynx but not from the oral habitat. This explains the poor performance of nasopharyngeal samples for pneumococcal carriage among adults and indicates that in adults saliva more accurately represents the epidemiology of pneumococcal carriage than nasopharyngeal samples.

Distinct T cell responsiveness to different COVID-19 vaccines and cross-reactivity to SARS-CoV-2 variants with age and CMV status.

Introduction: Accumulating evidence indicates the importance of T cell immunity in vaccination-induced protection against severe COVID-19 disease, especially against SARS-CoV-2 Variants-of-Concern (VOCs) that more readily escape from recognition by neutralizing antibodies. However, there is limited knowledge on the T cell responses across different age groups and the impact of CMV status after primary and booster vaccination with different vaccine combinations. Moreover, it remains unclear whether age has an effect on the ability of T cells to cross-react against VOCs. Methods: Therefore, we interrogated the Spike-specific T cell responses in healthy adults of the Dutch population across different ages, whom received different vaccine types for the primary series and/or booster vaccination, using IFNÉ£ ELISpot. Cells were stimulated with overlapping peptide pools of the ancestral Spike protein and different VOCs. Results: Robust Spike-specific T cell responses were detected in the vast majority of participants upon the primary vaccination series, regardless of the vaccine type (i.e. BNT162b2, mRNA-1273, ChAdOx1 nCoV-19, or Ad26.COV2.S). Clearly, in the 70+ age group, responses were overall lower and showed more variation compared to younger age groups. Only in CMV-seropositive older adults (>70y) there was a significant inverse relation of age with T cell responses. Although T cell responses increased in all age groups after booster vaccination, Spike-specific T cell frequencies remained lower in the 70+ age group. Regardless of age or CMV status, primary mRNA-1273 vaccination followed by BNT162b2 booster vaccination showed limited booster effect compared to the BNT162b2/BNT162b2 or BNT162b2/mRNA-1273 primary-booster regimen. A modest reduction in cross-reactivity to the Alpha, Delta and Omicron BA.1, but not the Beta or Gamma variant, was observed after primary vaccination. Discussion: Together, this study shows that age, CMV status, but also the primary-booster vaccination regimen influence the height of the vaccination-induced Spike-specific T cell response, but did not impact the VOC cross-reactivity.

Novel emm4 lineage associated with an upsurge in invasive group A streptococcal disease in the Netherlands, 2022.

Invasive group A streptococcal (iGAS) disease cases increased in the first half of 2022 in the Netherlands, with a remarkably high proportion of emm4 isolates. Whole-genome sequence analysis of 66 emm4 isolates, 40 isolates from the pre-coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic period 2009-2019 and 26 contemporary isolates from 2022, identified a novel Streptococcus pyogenes lineage (M4NL22), which accounted for 85 % of emm4 iGAS cases in 2022. Surprisingly, we detected few isolates of the emm4 hypervirulent clone, which has replaced nearly all other emm4 in the USA and the UK. M4NL22 displayed genetic differences compared to other emm4 strains, although these were of unclear biological significance. In publicly available data, we identified a single Norwegian isolate belonging to M4NL22, which was sampled after the isolates from this study, possibly suggesting export of M4NL22 to Norway. In conclusion, our study identified a novel S. pyogenes emm4 lineage underlying an increase of iGAS disease in early 2022 in the Netherlands and the results have been promptly communicated to public health officials.

A spitting image: molecular diagnostics applied to saliva enhance detection of Streptococcus pneumoniae and pneumococcal serotype carriage.

Background: Despite strong historical records on the accuracy of saliva testing, oral fluids are considered poorly suited for pneumococcal carriage detection. We evaluated an approach for carriage surveillance and vaccine studies that increases the sensitivity and specificity of pneumococcus and pneumococcal serotype detection in saliva samples. Methods: Quantitative PCR (qPCR)-based methods were applied to detect pneumococcus and pneumococcal serotypes in 971 saliva samples collected from 653 toddlers and 318 adults. Results were compared with culture-based and qPCR-based detection in nasopharyngeal samples collected from children and in nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal samples collected from adults. Optimal C q cut-offs for positivity in qPCRs were determined via receiver operating characteristic curve analysis and accuracy of different approaches was assessed using a composite reference for pneumococcal and for serotype carriage based on isolation of live pneumococcus from the person or positivity of saliva samples determined with qPCR. To evaluate the inter-laboratory reproducibility of the method, 229 culture-enriched samples were tested independently in the second center. Results: In total, 51.5% of saliva samples from children and 31.8% of saliva samples from adults were positive for pneumococcus. Detection of pneumococcus by qPCR in culture-enriched saliva exhibited enhanced sensitivity and higher agreement with a composite reference compared to diagnostic culture of nasopharyngeal samples in children (Cohen's κ: 0.69-0.79 vs. 0.61-0.73) and in adults (κ: 0.84-0.95 vs. 0.04-0.33) and culture of oropharyngeal samples in adults (κ: 0.84-0.95 vs. -0.12-0.19). Similarly, detection of serotypes with qPCR in culture-enriched saliva exhibited enhanced sensitivity and higher agreement with a composite reference compared to nasopharyngeal culture in children (κ: 0.73-0.82 vs. 0.61-0.73) and adults (κ: 0.90-0.96 vs. 0.00-0.30) and oropharyngeal culture in adults (κ: 0.90-0.96 vs. -0.13 to 0.30). However, results of qPCRs targeting serotype 4, 5, and 17F and serogroups 9, 12, and 35 were excluded due to assays' lack of specificity. We observed excellent quantitative agreement for qPCR-based detection of pneumococcus between laboratories. After exclusion of serotype/serogroup-specific assays with insufficient specificity, moderate agreement (κ 0.68, 95% CI 0.58-0.77) was observed. Conclusion: Molecular testing of culture-enriched saliva samples improves the sensitivity of overall surveillance of pneumococcal carriage in children and adults, but limitations of qPCR-based approaches for pneumococcal serotypes carriage detection should be considered.

Is a single dose of meningococcal serogroup C conjugate vaccine sufficient for protection? experience from the Netherlands.

BACKGROUND: The first meningococcal serogroup C (MenC) conjugate vaccine was licensed in 1999 and introduced in the United Kingdom. Countries that have implemented the MenC vaccine since then in their national immunisation programmes use different schedules. Nevertheless, all involved countries seem to experience substantial declines in the incidence of MenC disease. DISCUSSION: Since 2001, the MenC conjugate vaccine has been implemented in the Netherlands by offering a single dose to all children aged 14 months. Prior to the introduction of the vaccine into the national immunisation programme, a catch-up vaccination campaign was initiated in which a single dose of the MenC conjugate vaccine was offered to all children aged from 14 months up to and including 18 years. Since then, there has been no report of any case of MenC disease among immunocompetent vaccinees. Administration of a single dose of MenC conjugate vaccine after infancy could be beneficial considering the already complex immunisation schedules with large numbers of vaccinations in the first year of life. The present paper deals with the advantages and critical aspects of a single dose of the MenC conjugate vaccine. SUMMARY: A single dose of MenC conjugate vaccine at the age of 14 months in combination with a catch up vaccine campaign appeared to be a successful strategy to prevent MenC disease in the Netherlands, thereby confirming that a single dose of the vaccine could sufficiently protect against disease. Nevertheless, this approach can only be justified in countries with a relatively low incidence of serogroup C meningococcal disease in the first year of life. Furthermore, a good surveillance programme is recommended for timely detection of vaccine breakthroughs and outbreaks among non-vaccinees, since long-term protection after a single dose in the second year of life cannot currently be guaranteed.

Omicron BA.1 Mutations in SARS-CoV-2 Spike Lead to Reduced T-Cell Response in Vaccinated and Convalescent Individuals.

Omicron BA.1 variant can readily infect people with vaccine-induced or naturally acquired SARS-CoV-2 immunity facilitated by escape from neutralizing antibodies. In contrast, T-cell reactivity against the Omicron BA.1 variant seems relatively well preserved. Here, we studied the preexisting T cells elicited by either vaccination with the mRNA-based BNT162b2 vaccine or by natural infection with ancestral SARS-CoV-2 for their cross-reactive potential to 20 selected CD4+ T-cell epitopes of spike-protein-harboring Omicron BA.1 mutations. Although the overall memory CD4+ T-cell responses primed by the ancestral spike protein was still preserved generally, we show here that there is also a clear loss of memory CD4+ T-cell cross-reactivity to immunodominant epitopes across the spike protein due to Omicron BA.1 mutations. Complete or partial loss of preexisting T-cell responsiveness was observed against 60% of 20 nonconserved CD4+ T-cell epitopes predicted to be presented by a broad set of common HLA class II alleles. Monitoring such mutations in circulating strains helps predict which virus variants may escape previously induced cellular immunity and could be of concern.