Low Performance of Sinovac Vaccine Particularly With Belatacept Therapy in a Study With Different Types of COVID-19 Vaccines in Transplanted Patients.

The huge impact of SARS-CoV-2 infections on organ transplant recipients makes it necessary to optimize vaccine efficacy in this population. To effectively implement multiple strategies, it is crucial to understand the performance of each type of available vaccine. In our study, the antibody titer was measured, and the presence of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 was evaluated after 90 days of immunization; furthermore, the differences between hybrid immunity, immunity by vaccination, and immunosuppressant type were identified. As a result, of the patients included in this study (n = 160), 53% showed antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 90 days after the first dose in patients who had completed the vaccination schedule. Antibody titers were higher in patients with hybrid immunity, and the proportion of nonresponsive patients was higher among those who received the immunosuppressant belatacept in their post-transplant regimen (P = .01). Only 15% of patients treated with this medicine seroconverted and patients vaccinated with CoronaVac and treated with belatacept showed no response. In conclusion, a reduced response to vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 was identified in the transplant population, and this response varied with the type of vaccine administered and the immunosuppressive treatment.

Seroprevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in Colombia, 2020: A population-based study.

BACKGROUND: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) continues to cause very high morbidity and mortality throughout Latin American countries. However, few population-based seroprevalence surveys have been conducted to quantify attack rates and characterize drivers of transmission. METHODS: We conducted a population-based cross-sectional study to assess the seroprevalence of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 in ten cities in Colombia between September and December 2020. The study involved multi-stage cluster sampling at each city. Participants provided a serum sample and answered a demographic and risk factor questionnaire. Prior infection by SARS-CoV-2 was ascertained using the "SARS-CoV-2 Total (COV2T) Advia Centaur - Siemens" chemiluminescence assay. FINDINGS: A total of 17863 participants from 7320 households participated in the study. Seroprevalence varied substantially between cities, ranging from 26% (95%CI 23-29 %) in Medellín to 68% (95%CI 62-74 %) in Guapi. There were no differences in seroprevalence by sex, but seropositivity was higher in certain ethnic groups. There was substantial heterogeneity in seroprevalence within cities, driven to a large extent by a strong association between socioeconomic stratum and seropositivity. INTERPRETATION: Colombia has been one of the Latin American countries most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. This study documented very high attack rates in several Colombian cities by the end of 2020 and identified key drivers of heterogeneities including ethnicity and socioeconomic stratum. Few studies of seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 have been conducted in Latin America, and therefore this study contributes to the fundamental understanding of the pandemic in the region. FUNDING: The study was sponsored by, Ministerio de Ciencia y Tecnología e Innovación -CT361/2020, Ministerio de Salud y Protección Social, Fundación Universitaria del Norte, Imperial College of London, Universidad Nacional de Colombia (Sede Medellín), Universidad de Córdoba, California University, Unidad Nacional de Gestión del Riesgo, Centro de Atención y Diagnóstico de Enfermedades Infecciosas -CDI-, Centro Internacional de Entrenamiento e Investigaciones Médicas -CIDEIM-, Departamento Administrativo Nacional de Estadística - DANE, Fondo Nacional de Turismo -FONTUR-, Secretarías de Salud Departamentales, Distritales y Municipales and Instituto Nacional de Salud.

Patógenos asociados a enfermedades transmitidas por alimentos en restaurantes escolares de Colombia / Pathogens associated with foodborne diseases in school restaurants in Colombia

RESUMEN El objetivo general del presente estudio fue determinar la presencia de Salmonella spp, Escherichia coli O157, Staphylococcus aureus y Listeria monocytogenes en alimentos preparados listos para el consumo como pollo, arroz y ensaladas en restaurantes escolares de 7 departamentos de Colombia. El estudio fue descriptivo y transversal. Se realizaron encuestas en donde se preguntaron temas relacionados con condiciones higiénico-sanitarias y listas de chequeo en el cual se evaluaron temas de infraestructura y uso de elementos protección personal durante la manipulación de alimentos. La selección de la muestra se llevó a cabo por medio de un diseño probabilístico bietápico, con un nivel de confianza del 95%, para la recolección de información se utilizó el programa de captura CSPro y para estimar asociaciones se usó paquetes estadístico Stata 12. Resultados: Se visitaron 7 departamentos, 72 municipios, 332 restaurantes y se recolectaron 497 muestras. El 61% de las muestras correspondió a arroz, ensalada 23% y pollo 16%. El microorganismo más frecuentemente encontrado fue Listeria monocytogenes 1,6%, Salmonella spp 0,6% y Staphylococcus aureus 0,4%. No hubo presencia de E. coli O157H7. Conclusiones: Se detectó la presencia de microorganismos patógenos en los restaurantes escolares.

ABSTRACT The overall objective of the present study was to determine the presence of Salmonella spp, Escherichia coli O157, Staphylococcus aureus and Listeria monocytogenes in prepared ready-to-eat foods such as chicken, rice and salads in school restaurants in 7 departments of Colombia. The study was descriptive and cross-sectional. Surveys included questions related to hygienic-sanitary conditions and checklists that evaluated infrastructure issues and the use of personal protection elements during food handling. The selection of the sample was carried out using a two-stage probabilistic design with a 95% confidence level. The CSPro capture program was used for information collection and Stata 12 statistical package was used to estimate associations. Results: Seven departments, 72 municipalities, and 332 restaurants were visited and 497 samples were collected. Sixty-one percent of the samples corresponded to rice, 23% salad and 16% chicken. The most frequently found microorganism was Listeria monocytogenes 1.6%, Salmonella spp 0.6% and Staphylococcus aureus 0.4%. There was no presence of E. coli O157H7. Conclusions: The presence of pathogenic microorganisms was detected in school restaurants.