Equal Maintenance of Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Antibody Levels Induced by Heterologous and Homologous Regimens of the BNT162b2, ChAdOx1, CoronaVac and Ad26.COV2.S Vaccines: A Longitudinal Study Up to the 4th Dose of Booster.

Several technological approaches have been used to develop vaccines against COVID-19, including those based on inactivated viruses, viral vectors, and mRNA. This study aimed to monitor the maintenance of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in individuals from Brazil according to the primary vaccination regimen, as follows: BNT162b2 (group 1; 22) and ChAdOx1 (group 2; 18). Everyone received BNT162b2 in the first booster while in the second booster CoronaVac, Ad26.COV2.S, or BNT162b2. Blood samples were collected from 2021 to 2023 to analyze specific RBD (ELISA) and neutralizing antibodies (PRNT50). We observed a progressive increase in anti-RBD and neutralizing antibodies in each subsequent dose, remaining at high titers until the end of follow-up. Group 1 had higher anti-RBD antibody titers than group 2 after beginning the primary regimen, with significant differences after the 2nd and 3rd doses. Group 2 showed a more expressive increase after the first booster with BNT162B2 (heterologous booster). Group 2 also presented high levels of neutralizing antibodies against the Gamma and Delta variants until five months after the second booster. In conclusion, the circulating levels of anti-RBD and neutralizing antibodies against the two variants of SARS-CoV-2 were durable even five months after the 4th dose, suggesting that periodic booster vaccinations (homologous or heterologous) induced long-lasting immunity.

Absence of Anti-RBD Antibodies in SARS-CoV-2 Infected or Naive Individuals Prior to Vaccination with CoronaVac Leads to Short Protection of Only Four Months Duration.

The COVID-19 pandemic is the biggest public health threat facing the world today. Multiple vaccines have been approved; however, the emergence of viral variants such as the recent Omicron raises the possibility of booster doses to achieve adequate protection. In Brazil, the CoronaVac (Sinovac, Beijing, China) vaccine was used; however, it is important to assess the immune response to this vaccine over time. This study aimed to monitor the anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody responses in those immunized with CoronaVac and SARS-CoV-2 infected individuals. Samples were collected between August 2020 and August 2021. Within the vaccinated cohort, some individuals had a history of infection by SARS-CoV-2 prior to immunization, while others did not. We analyzed RBD-specific and neutralizing-antibodies. Anti-RBD antibodies were detected in both cohorts, with a peak between 45-90 days post infection or vaccination, followed by a steady decline over time. In those with a previous history of COVID-19, a higher, longer, more persistent response was observed. This trend was mirrored in the neutralization assays, where infection, followed by immunization, resulted in higher, longer lasting responses which were conditioned on the presence of levels of RBD antibodies right before the vaccination. This supports the necessity of booster doses of CoronaVac in due course to prevent serious disease.

Prevalence of rotavirus and human bocavirus in immunosuppressed individuals after renal transplantation in the Northern Region of Brazil.

Immunosuppressive therapy causes severe impairment of host defense and diarrhea is a frequent complication in renal transplant recipients. This study aimed to describe the occurrence of Rotavirus A (RVA) and Human Bocavirus (HBoV) in fecal samples of immunosuppressed patients submitted to renal transplantation during posttransplant follow-up. A longitudinal study was carried out involving a 25-patient cohort, selected for kidney transplantation. A total of 126 fecal samples were collected between May 2014 and May 2016. Molecular techniques were used to detect and characterize circulating RVA and HBoV genotypes and statistical analysis were applied to verify the association between epidemiological and clinical characteristics. The prevalence of RVA and HBoV was 24% (6/25) and 40% (10/25), respectively. Among RVA and HBoV positive cases, the majority was female; did not conduct water treatment nor had adequate sewage facilities. The most detected genotypes were RVA G3 (62.5%) and HBoV-3 (95%). Phylogenetic analysis of HBoV strains indicated that studied samples were similar to those found in Asian and American countries. The present study point out the circulation of these viral agents among immunosuppressed individuals and these findings will enable the construction of new knowledge and care perspectives on the cause of diarrhea in this population.