COVID-19 vaccination before or during pregnancy results in high, sustained maternal neutralizing activity to SARS-CoV2 wild-type and Delta/Omicron variants of concern, particularly following a booster dose or infection.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate multi-dose and timings of COVID-19 vaccines in preventing antenatal infection. DESIGN: Prospective observational study investigating primary vaccinations, boosters, antenatal COVID-19 infections, neutralizing antibody (Nab) durability, and cross-reactivity to Delta and Omicron variants of concern (VOCs). RESULTS: 98 patients completed primary vaccination pre-pregnancy (29·6%) and antenatally (63·3%), 24·2% of whom had antenatal COVID-19, while 7·1% were unvaccinated (28·6% had antenatal COVID-19). None had severe COVID-19. Pre-pregnancy vaccination resulted in vaccination-to-infection delay of 23·3 weeks, which extended to 45·2 weeks with a booster, compared to 16·9 weeks following antenatal vaccination (p<0·001). Infections occurred at 26·2 weeks gestation in women vaccinated pre-pregnancy compared to 36·2 weeks gestation in those vaccinated during pregnancy (p<0·007). The risk of COVID-19 infection was higher without antenatal vaccination (hazard ratio 14·6, p=0·05) and after pre-pregnancy vaccination without a booster (hazard ratio 10·4, p=0·002). Antenatal vaccinations initially led to high Nab levels, with mild waning but subsequent rebound. Significant Nab enhancement occurred with a third-trimester booster. Maternal-neonatal Nab transfer was efficient (transfer ratio >1), and cross-reactivity to VOCs was observed. CONCLUSION: Completing vaccination during any trimester delays COVID-19 infection and maintains effective neutralizing activity throughout pregnancy, with robust cross-reactivity to VOCs and efficient maternal-neonatal transfer.

Impaired IL-23-dependent induction of IFN-γ underlies mycobacterial disease in patients with inherited TYK2 deficiency.

Human cells homozygous for rare loss-of-expression (LOE) TYK2 alleles have impaired, but not abolished, cellular responses to IFN-α/ß (underlying viral diseases in the patients) and to IL-12 and IL-23 (underlying mycobacterial diseases). Cells homozygous for the common P1104A TYK2 allele have selectively impaired responses to IL-23 (underlying isolated mycobacterial disease). We report three new forms of TYK2 deficiency in six patients from five families homozygous for rare TYK2 alleles (R864C, G996R, G634E, or G1010D) or compound heterozygous for P1104A and a rare allele (A928V). All these missense alleles encode detectable proteins. The R864C and G1010D alleles are hypomorphic and loss-of-function (LOF), respectively, across signaling pathways. By contrast, hypomorphic G996R, G634E, and A928V mutations selectively impair responses to IL-23, like P1104A. Impairment of the IL-23-dependent induction of IFN-γ is the only mechanism of mycobacterial disease common to patients with complete TYK2 deficiency with or without TYK2 expression, partial TYK2 deficiency across signaling pathways, or rare or common partial TYK2 deficiency specific for IL-23 signaling.

A Mortality Prediction Rule for Hematology Patients with Invasive Aspergillosis Based on Serum Galactomannan Kinetics.

In invasive aspergillosis (IA), an early and adequate assessment of the response to the initial antifungal therapy remains problematic. We retrospectively analyzed 206 hematology patients with proven or probable IA, and collected serial serum galactomannan (sGM) values and survival status through week 6 and week 12. We created a model for survival at week 6 based on the sGM taken at baseline and on early sGM kinetics. This resulted in a rule predicting that patients with a baseline sGM index >1.4, who failed to lower that index to <0.5 after one week, had a mortality rate of 48.1% at week 6. Conversely, patients presenting with a baseline sGM index ≤1.4 that obtained a negative sGM (<0.5) after one week, had a mortality that was almost five times lower at only 10.1% by week 6. These findings were confirmed in an external cohort from an independent prospective study. In conclusion, sGM kinetics correlate well with treatment outcomes in hematology patients with IA. We present a rule which is easy to use at the bedside and has good accuracy in predicting week 6 survival.

Juvenile-Onset Immunodeficiency Secondary to Anti-Interferon-Gamma Autoantibodies.

Immunodeficiency secondary to anti-interferon-gamma (anti-IFN-γ) autoantibodies was first described in 2004 as an acquired defect in the IFN-γ pathway leading to susceptibility to multiple opportunistic infections, including dimorphic fungi, parasites, and bacteria, especially tuberculosis and non-tuberculous mycobacterium (NTM) species. It has so far only been described in adult patients. We present 2 cases of disseminated NTM infections in otherwise immunocompetent children. A 16-year-old girl with Sweet's syndrome-like neutrophilic dermatosis developed recurrent fever and cervical lymphadenitis secondary to Mycobacterium abscessus. A 10-year-old boy with a history of prolonged fever, aseptic meningitis, aortitis, and arteritis in multiple blood vessels developed thoracic vertebral osteomyelitis secondary to Mycobacterium avium complex. Both patients were found to have positive serum neutralizing anti-IFNγ autoantibodies. Testing for anti-IFNγ autoantibodies should be considered in otherwise healthy immunocompetent hosts with recurrent or disseminated NTM infection. This represents a phenocopy of primary immunodeficiency which has been recently described only in adults. We report the first two cases of this phenomenon to affect children.

Neutrophils differentially attenuate immune response to Aspergillus infection through complement receptor 3 and induction of myeloperoxidase.

Invasive aspergillosis (IA) remains a major cause of morbidity in immunocompromised hosts. This is due to the inability of the host immunity to respond appropriately to Aspergillus. An established risk factor for IA is neutropenia that is encountered by patients undergoing chemotherapy. Herein, we investigate the role of neutrophils in modulating host response to Aspergillus. We found that neutrophils had the propensity to suppress proinflammatory cytokine production but through different mechanisms for specific cytokines. Cellular contact was requisite for the modulation of interleukin-1 beta production by Aspergillus with the involvement of complement receptor 3. On the other hand, inhibition of tumour necrosis factor-alpha production (TNF-α) was cell contact-independent and mediated by secreted myeloperoxidase. Specifically, the inhibition of TNF-α by myeloperoxidase was through the TLR4 pathway and involved interference with the mRNA transcription of TNF receptor-associated factor 6/interferon regulatory factor 5. Our study illustrates the extended immune modulatory role of neutrophils beyond its primary phagocytic function. The absence of neutrophils and loss of its inhibitory effect on cytokine production explains the hypercytokinemia seen in neutropenic patients when infected with Aspergillus.

Predictors of In-hospital Adverse Events in Patients with Prosthetic Valve Infective Endocarditis.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to study patients with prosthetic valve endocarditis (PVE) and analyse factors associated with in-hospital adverse events. METHODS: A review of all patients who underwent echocardiography at a local university hospital with definite PVE (modified Duke's criteria) was performed. Adverse events of in-hospital mortality and redo valve surgery were identified. RESULTS: There were 23 patients with PVE (median age 53 years (IQR:38-66), 12 males (52%)). Twelve adverse events occurred including seven (30%) in-hospital mortalities and five (21%) redo valve surgery. Factors associated with in-hospital mortality include Staphylococcus aureus-PVE (86% vs 31%, p=0.027), presence of shock (86% vs 19%, p=0.005) and intensive care unit admission (72% vs 19%, p=0.026). Factors associated with the need for redo valve surgery include a younger median age (37 vs 61 years, p=0.012), longer median length of stay (58 vs 17 days, p=0.004), history of intravenous drug abuse (IVDA) (60% vs 6%, p=0.021) and right-sided valvular involvement (40% vs 0%, p=0.040). Using a composite endpoint of both outcomes, factors associated with in-hospital adverse events were a history of IVDA (36% vs 0%, p=0.037) and presence of shock (64% vs 17%, p=0.036). CONCLUSION: PVE carries a high risk of poor clinical outcome in terms of in-hospital mortality and the need for redo surgery.

An elevated pro-inflammatory cytokine response is linked to development of amphotericin B-induced nephrotoxicity.

OBJECTIVES: The underlying mechanism for amphotericin B-induced acute kidney injury (AKI) remains poorly understood and may be immunologically mediated. We assessed whether the development of nephrotoxicity is linked to a distinct cytokine profile in patients receiving amphotericin B deoxycholate (AmBD). PATIENTS AND METHODS: In 58 patients who received AmBD, circulating serum interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8 and IL-10 were measured at baseline, week 1 and week 2 of antifungal treatment and correlated to the development of renal impairment. The Cox proportional hazards model approach was adopted for analysis. RESULTS: The P value was 0.026 for the overall effect of IL-6 on time to development of AKI. An increasing or non-receding IL-6 trend by week 1 of AmBD treatment (followed by a decreasing or non-receding IL-6 trend from week 1 to week 2) correlated with an increased likelihood of nephrotoxicity [hazard ratio (HR) 6.93, P value 0.005 and HR 3.46, P value 0.035, respectively]. Similarly, persistently increasing IL-8 levels were linked to a 3.84-fold increased likelihood of AKI. CONCLUSIONS: In patients receiving AmBD, persistence of an elevated pro-inflammatory cytokine milieu is associated with a predisposition to drug-related kidney injury.

Early serum galactomannan trend as a predictor of outcome of invasive aspergillosis.

The monitoring and prediction of treatment responses to invasive aspergillosis (IA) are difficult. We determined whether serum galactomannan index (GMI) trends early in the course of disease may be useful in predicting eventual clinical outcomes. For the subjects recruited into the multicenter Global Aspergillosis Study, serial GMIs were measured at baseline and at weeks 1, 2, and 4 following antifungal treatment. Clinical response and survival at 12 weeks were the outcome measures. GMI trends were analyzed by using the generalized estimation equation approach. GMI cutoffs were evaluated by using receiver-operating curve analyses incorporating pre- and posttest probabilities. Of the 202 study patients diagnosed with IA, 71 (35.1%) had a baseline GMI of ≥ 0.5. Week 1 GMI was significantly lower for the eventual responders to treatment at week 12 than for the nonresponders (GMIs of 0.62 ± 0.12 and 1.15 ± 0.22, respectively; P = 0.035). A GMI reduction of >35% between baseline and week 1 predicted a probability of a satisfactory clinical response. For IA patients with pretreatment GMIs of <0.5 (n = 131; 64.9%), GMI ought to remain low during treatment, and a rising absolute GMI to >0.5 at week 2 despite antifungal treatment heralded a poor clinical outcome. Here, every 0.1-unit increase in the GMI between baseline and week 2 increased the likelihood of an unsatisfactory clinical response by 21.6% (P = 0.018). In summary, clinical outcomes may be anticipated by charting early GMI trends during the first 2 weeks of antifungal therapy. These findings have significant implications for the management of IA.

Seasonal variation in vitamin D3 levels is paralleled by changes in the peripheral blood human T cell compartment.

It is well-recognized that vitamin D3 has immune-modulatory properties and that the variation in ultraviolet (UV) exposure affects vitamin D3 status. Here, we investigated if and to what extent seasonality of vitamin D3 levels are associated with changes in T cell numbers and phenotypes. Every three months during the course of the entire year, human PBMC and whole blood from 15 healthy subjects were sampled and analyzed using flow cytometry. We observed that elevated serum 25(OH)D3 and 1,25(OH)(2)D3 levels in summer were associated with a higher number of peripheral CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. In addition, an increase in naïve CD4+CD45RA+ T cells with a reciprocal drop in memory CD4+CD45RO+ T cells was observed. The increase in CD4+CD45RA+ T cell count was a result of heightened proliferative capacity rather than recent thymic emigration of T cells. The percentage of Treg dropped in summer, but not the absolute Treg numbers. Notably, in the Treg population, the levels of forkhead box protein 3 (Foxp3) expression were increased in summer. Skin, gut and lymphoid tissue homing potential was increased during summer as well, exemplified by increased CCR4, CCR6, CLA, CCR9 and CCR7 levels. Also, in summer, CD4+ and CD8+ T cells revealed a reduced capacity to produce pro-inflammatory cytokines. In conclusion, seasonal variation in vitamin D3 status in vivo throughout the year is associated with changes in the human peripheral T cell compartment and may as such explain some of the seasonal variation in immune status which has been observed previously. Given that the current observations are limited to healthy adult males, larger population-based studies would be useful to validate these findings.

Vitamin D(3) down-regulates proinflammatory cytokine response to Mycobacterium tuberculosis through pattern recognition receptors while inducing protective cathelicidin production.

A well-known association between vitamin D(3) and infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis has previously been reported, but little is known regarding the underlying mechanisms. We have investigated how 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) [1,25(OH)(2)D(3)] affects the proinflammatory cytokine production induced by M. tuberculosis. Furthermore, we explored whether 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) influence the production of the protective antimycobacterial peptide cathelicidin. Upon in vitro stimulation with M. tuberculosis, 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) induced a dose-dependent down-regulation of IL-6, TNFα and IFNγ, while increasing the production of IL-10 in culture supernatant as well as cathelicidin mRNA expression. This effect on cytokine response was not due to modulation of T-helper cell differentiation, as T-bet, GATA3, Foxp3 and ROR-γt mRNA expression remained unaffected. Similarly, 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) did not affect suppressor of cytokine signaling (SOCS)1 and SOCS3 mRNA expression. The mechanism whereby 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) inhibited the proinflammatory cytokine response was through reduced expression of the pattern recognition receptors (PRR) - TLR2, TLR4, Dectin-1 and mannose receptor, whose mRNA and protein expression were both reduced. The suppression of PRRs could be restored by a VDR antagonist. Upon M. tuberculosis stimulation, 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) modulates the balance in cytokine production towards an anti-inflammatory profile by repression of TLR2, TLR4, Dectin-1 and mannose receptor expression, while increasing cathelicidin production. These two effects may have beneficial consequences, by reducing the collateral tissue damage induced by proinflammatory cytokines, while the antibacterial effects of cathelicidin are enhanced.

The Y238X stop codon polymorphism in the human ß-glucan receptor dectin-1 and susceptibility to invasive aspergillosis.

BACKGROUND: Dectin-1 is the major receptor for fungal ß-glucans on myeloid cells. We investigated whether defective Dectin-1 receptor function, because of the early stop codon polymorphism Y238X, enhances susceptibility to invasive aspergillosis (IA) in at-risk patients. METHODS: Association of Dectin-1 Y238X polymorphism with occurrence and clinical course of IA was evaluated in 71 patients who developed IA post hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) and in another 21 non-HSCT patients with IA. The control group consisted of 108 patients who underwent HSCT. Functional studies were performed to investigate consequences of the Y238X Dectin-1 polymorphism. RESULTS: The Y238X allele frequency was higher in non-HSCT patients with IA (19.0% vs 6.9%-7.7%; P < .05). Heterozygosity for Y238X polymorphism in HSCT recipients showed a trend toward IA susceptibility (odds ratio, 1.79; 95% CI, .77-4.19; P = .17) but did not influence clinical course of IA. Functional assays revealed that although peripheral blood mononuclear cells with defective Dectin-1 function due to Y238X responded less efficiently to Aspergillus, corresponding macrophages showed adequate response to Aspergillus. CONCLUSIONS: Dectin-1 Y238X heterozygosity has a limited influence on susceptibility to IA and may be important in susceptible non-HSCT patients. This is partly attributable to redundancy inherent in the innate immune system. Larger studies are needed to confirm these findings.

Aspergillus fumigatus cell wall components differentially modulate host TLR2 and TLR4 responses.

Aspergillus fumigatus conidia attenuates host proinflammatory responses through modulation of Toll-like receptor (TLR)2 and TLR4 signaling, but the precise mechanisms that mediate this effect are not known. In the present study, the role of the Aspergillus cell wall polysaccharide constituents responsible for the modulation of host capability to mount a proinflammatory response was studied. Aspergillus cell wall fractions and its major components showed differential capabilities in modulating host TLR-mediated interleukin (IL)-6 production. Beta-glucan specifically suppressed TLR4-induced response, while alpha-glucan inhibited IL-6 induced through TLR2- and TLR4-stimulation. Galactomannan diminished TLR4-mediated response, while its inhibitory effects on TLR2-signaling were limited. Chitin, on the other hand, did not have significant immunomodulatory capability. The ability of the fungal cell wall to alter the immune signature of the pathogen may contribute to its virulence and the pathogenesis of co-infection.

1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 modulates cytokine production induced by Candida albicans: impact of seasonal variation of immune responses.

BACKGROUND: Our interest in immunological effects produced by vitamin D(3) (1,25(OH)(2)D(3)) and its therapeutic potential prompted us to examine the role of 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) on cytokine production by Candida albicans. METHODS: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) with stimulated C. albicans and 1,25(OH)(2)D(3), cytokine concentrations were measured in supernatant. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was performed for T cell transcription factors, SOCS1 and 3. TLR2/4, Dectin-1, and mannose receptor expression was studied using flow cytometry and qPCR. An ex-vivo stimulation study was carried out in healthy volunteers to investigate the seasonality of immune response to C. albicans. RESULTS: Upon in vitro C. albicans stimulation, 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) induced a dose-dependent, down-regulation of IL-6, TNFα, IL-17, and IFNγ. It also increased IL-10 production. The shift in cytokine profile was not due to 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) augmenting expression of either Thelper differentiation factors or SOCS1 and SOCS3 mRNA. 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) inhibited TLR2, TLR4, Dectin-1, and MR mRNA and protein expression. In our seasonality study, both IL-17 and IFNγ levels were suppressed in summer when 25(OH)D(3) levels were elevated. CONCLUSION: Vitamin D(3) skews cytokine responses toward an antiinflammatory profile, mediated by suppression of TLR2, TLR4, Dectin-1, and MR transcription, leading to reduced surface expression. The biological relevance of these effects has been confirmed by the seasonality of cytokine responses.

Immune response to Aspergillus fumigatus in compromised hosts: from bedside to bench.

The relevance of studies aimed at understanding host immune response against Aspergillus fumigatus takes on much significance given that all patients with invasive aspergillosis are invariably immunocompromised. This article attempts to correlate relevant findings from recent experimental studies to clinical observations made by the physician at the bedside. It is hoped that the increased understanding of host-fungus immune interaction may pave the way for the development of new management strategies against this difficult-to-treat fungal disease.

Aspergillus fumigatus conidial melanin modulates host cytokine response.

Melanin biopigments have been linked to fungal virulence. Aspergillus fumigatus conidia are melanised and are weakly immunogenic. We show that melanin pigments on the surface of resting Aspergillus fumigatus conidia may serve to mask pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs)-induced cytokine response. The albino conidia induced significantly more proinflammatory cytokines in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), as compared to melanised wild-type conidia. Blocking dectin-1 receptor, Toll-like receptor 4 or mannose receptor decreased cytokine production induced by the albino but not by the wild type conidia. Moreover, albino conidia stimulated less potently, cytokine production in PBMC isolated from an individual with defective dectin-1, compared to the stimulation of cells isolated from healthy donors. These results suggest that ß-glucans, but also other stimulatory PAMPs like mannan derivatives, are exposed on conidial surface in the absence of melanin. Melanin may play a modulatory role by impeding the capability of host immune cells to respond to specific ligands on A. fumigatus.

Candida albicans releases soluble factors that potentiate cytokine production by human cells through a protease-activated receptor 1- and 2-independent pathway.

The innate immune system recognizes pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) through pattern recognition receptors (PRR) and transduces downstream signaling to activate the host defense. Here we report that in addition to direct PAMP-PRR interactions, live Candida albicans cells can release soluble factors to actively potentiate interleukin-6 (IL-6) and IL-8 production induced in human mononuclear cells by the fungi. Although protease-activated receptor 1 (PAR1) and PAR2 ligation can moderately upregulate Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)-mediated IL-8 production, no effect on the C. albicans-induced cytokine was apparent. Similarly, the blockade of PAR signaling did not reverse the potentiation of cytokine production induced by soluble factors released by C. albicans. In conclusion, C. albicans releases soluble factors that potentiate cytokine release in a PAR1/2-independent manner. Thus, human PAR1 and PAR2 have a redundant role in the activation of human cells by C. albicans.

Anti-Aspergillus human host defence relies on type 1 T helper (Th1), rather than type 17 T helper (Th17), cellular immunity.

Both interferon-gamma-producing type 1 T helper (Th1)- and interleukin-17 (IL-17)-producing Th17 cells have been proposed to be involved in anti-fungal host defence. Although invasive aspergillosis is one of the most severe human fungal infections, little is known regarding the relative importance of the Th1 versus Th17 cellular immune pathways for the human anti-Aspergillus host defence. Using human peripheral blood mononuclear cells and a system consisting of monocyte-derived macrophages with lymphocytes, we found that Aspergillus fumigatus is a weak inducer of human IL-17 but induces a strong Th1 response. These data were validated by the very low IL-17 levels in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and serum of patients with invasive aspergillosis. Surprisingly, live A. fumigatus reduced IL-17 production induced by mitogenic stimuli. This effect was mediated through the propensity of A. fumigatus to metabolize tryptophan and release kynurenine, which modulates the inflammatory response through inhibition of IL-17 production. In conclusion, A. fumigatus does not stimulate production of IL-17 and human host defence against aspergillosis may not rely on potent Th17 responses.

A prospective cohort study on the impact of a modified Basic Military Training (mBMT) programme based on pre-enlistment fitness stratification amongst Asian military enlistees.

INTRODUCTION: This study objectively evaluates the effectiveness of a 6-week Preparatory Training Phase (PTP) programme prior to Basic Military Training (BMT) for less physically conditioned conscripts in the Singapore Armed Forces. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We compared exercise test results of a group of less fi t recruits who underwent a 16-week modified-BMT (mBMT) programme (consisting of a 6-week PTP and 10-week BMT phase) with their 'fitter' counterparts enlisted in the traditional 10-week direct-intake BMT (dBMT) programme in this prospective cohort study consisting of 36 subjects. The main outcome measures included cardiopulmonary responses parameters (VO(2)max and V(O2AT)) with clinical exercise testing and distance run timings. RESULTS: Although starting off at a lower baseline in terms of physical fitness [VO(2)max 1.73 +/- 0.27 L/min (mBMT group) vs 1.97 +/- 0.43 L/min (dBMT), P = 0.032; V(O2AT) 1.02 +/- 0.19 vs 1.14 +/- 0.32 L/min respectively, P = 0.147], the mBMT group had greater improvement in cardiopulmonary indices and physical performance profiles than the dBMT cohort as determined by cardiopulmonary exercise testing [VO(2)max 2.34 +/- 0.24 (mBMT) vs 2.36 +/- 0.36 L/min (dBMT), P = 0.085; V(O2AT) 1.22 +/- 0.17 vs 1.21 +/- 0.24 L/min respectively, P = 0.303] and 2.4 kilometres timed-run [mBMT group 816.1 sec (pre-BMT) vs 611.1 sec (post-BMT), dBMT group 703.8 sec vs 577.7 sec, respectively; overall P value 0.613] at the end of the training period. Initial mean difference in fitness between mBMT and dBMT groups on enlistment was negated upon graduation from BMT. CONCLUSION: Pre-enlistment fitness stratification with training modification in a progressive albeit longer BMT programme for less-conditioned conscripts appears efficacious when measured by resultant physical fitness.