Higher Levels of SARS-CoV-2 Genetic Variation in Immunocompromised Patients: A Retrospective Case-Control Study.

BACKGROUND: A severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection lasts longer in immunocompromised hosts than in immunocompetent patients. Prolonged infection is associated with a higher probability of selection for novel SARS-CoV-2 mutations, particularly in the spike protein, a critical target for vaccines and therapeutics. METHODS: From December 2020 to September 2022, respiratory samples from 444 immunocompromised patients and 234 health care workers positive for SARS-CoV-2, diagnosed at 2 hospitals in Paris, France, were analyzed using whole-genome sequencing using Nanopore technology. Custom scripts were developed to assess the SARS-CoV-2 genetic diversity between the 2 groups and within the host. RESULTS: Most infections were SARS-CoV-2 Delta or Omicron lineages. Viral genetic diversity was significantly higher in infections of immunocompromised patients than those of controls. Minor mutations were identified in viruses sequenced from immunocompromised individuals, which became signature mutations for newer SARS-CoV-2 variants as the epidemic progressed. Two patients were coinfected with Delta and Omicron variants. The follow-up of immunocompromised patients revealed that the SARS-CoV-2 genome evolution differed in the upper and lower respiratory tracts. CONCLUSIONS: This study found that SARS-CoV-2 infection in immunocompromised patients is associated with higher genetic diversity, which could lead to the emergence of new SARS-CoV-2 variants with possible immune evasion or different virulence characteristics.

Anal Monkeypox Disease: Description of 65 Cases.

BACKGROUND: Monkeypox is a zoonosis endemic in Africa caused by 3 orthopoxvirus clades. Knowledge of the disease is limited, but a worldwide outbreak involving a new route of transmission was declared in April 2022. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to describe anal symptoms and outcomes in patients infected with Monkeypox virus presenting to an emergency proctology unit in Paris. DESIGN: This was an observational study. SETTING: We reported anal symptoms of all consecutive patients with monkeypox anal infection in a single proctology center between June 16, 2022, and July 26, 2022. Association with sexually transmitted infections and outcomes were also recorded. PATIENTS: Sixty-five men with a mean age of 39.6 (19.9-64.6) years with confirmed monkeypox anal infection were included in the study. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Anal symptoms and their severity were clinically assessed. A favorable outcome consisted of a complete resolution of clinical manifestation. RESULTS: Sexual transmission was reported in 51 patients (78.4%), among whom 63 (97%) were men who have sex with men. Twenty-eight (43%) were living with HIV, and 24 (36.9%) were taking tenofovir/emtricitabine for HIV preexposure prophylaxis. Anal symptoms appeared first in 36 patients (55.4%) and skin rash or other general symptoms in 22 patients (33.8%). Incubation time was 6.9 (1-26) days. Symptoms included painful perianal (n = 42 patients; 64.6%), anal (n = 28, 43%), and rectal (n = 25; 38.4%) ulcerations and perianal vesicles (n = 24; 36.9%). Proctitis was observed in 49 patients (75.4%). It was mild in 20 (40.8%) and intense in 29 (59.2%), and severe proctitis mimicking high intersphincteric suppuration was found in 4 (8.2%). Fifteen patients (23.1%) had concurrent sexually transmitted infection and 3 were hospitalized. Complete symptom resolution occurred within 12 days. LIMITATIONS: We performed a single-center study during a short period of time. CONCLUSIONS: Proctological symptoms are frequent in the current outbreak of monkeypox disease, probably linked to the route of transmission. Rectal ulcerations mimicking high intersphincteric suppuration should be recognized to avoid unnecessary surgery. See Video Abstract . ENFERMEDAD ANAL DE LA VIRUELA DEL MONO DESCRIPCIN DE CASOS: ANTECEDENTES:La viruela del simio mono es una zoonosis endémica en África causada por tres clados de orthopoxvirus. El conocimiento de la enfermedad es limitado, pero en abril de 2022 se declaró un brote mundial que implica una nueva vía de transmisión.OBJETIVO:Describir los síntomas anales y los resultados en pacientes que sufren de infección por Monkeypox que asistieron a una unidad de proctología de emergencia en París.DISEÑO:Un estudio observacional.ESCENARIO:Informamos los síntomas anales de todos los pacientes consecutivos con infección anal por viruela del mono en un solo centro de proctología entre el 16/6/2022 y el 26/7/2022. También se registró la asociación con infecciones de transmisión sexual (ITS) y el resultado.PACIENTES:Sesenta y cinco hombres de 39,6 [19,9-64,6] años con infección anal confirmada.PRINCIPALES MEDIDAS DE RESULTADO:Los síntomas anales y su gravedad se evaluaron clínicamente. Un resultado favorable consistió en una resolución completa de la manifestación clínica.RESULTADOS:La transmisión sexual se informó en 51 (78,4%) pacientes, de los cuales 63 (97%) eran hombres que tuvieron sexo con hombres. Veintiocho (43%) vivían con el VIH y 24 (36,9%) tomaban Emtricitabina/Tenofovir para profilaxis previa por exposición al VIH. Los síntomas anales aparecieron primero en 36 (55,4%) pacientes y la erupción cutánea u otros síntomas generales en 22 (33,8%). El tiempo de incubación fue de 6,9 [1-26] días. Los síntomas incluyeron ulceraciones perianales dolorosas (n = 42 pacientes, 64,6%), anales (n = 28, 43%), rectales (n = 25, 38,4%) y vesículas perianales (n = 24, 36,9%). Se observó proctitis en 49 (75,4%) pacientes. Fue leve en 20 (40,8%) e intensa en 29 (59,2%) y proctitis severa simulando supuración interesfinteriana alta en 4 (8,2%). Quince (23,1%) pacientes presentaban ITS concurrentes y 3 fueron hospitalizados. La resolución completa de los síntomas ocurrió dentro de los 12 días.LIMITACIONES:Estudio de un solo centro y durante corto período de tiempo.CONCLUSIÓN:Los síntomas proctológicos son frecuentes en el brote actual de la enfermedad de la viruela del mono, probablemente relacionados con la vía de transmisión. Las ulceraciones rectales que simulan una supuración interesfinteriana alta deben reconocerse para evitar una cirugía innecesaria. (Traducción-Dr. Fidel Ruiz Healy ).

Three to four mRNA COVID-19 vaccines in multiple sclerosis patients on immunosuppressive drugs: Seroconversion and variant neutralization.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: An enhanced severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccine regimen could improve humoral vaccine response in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) treated by anti-CD20. The aim was to evaluate the serological response and the neutralizing activity after BNT162b2 primary and booster vaccination in MS patients, including patients on anti-CD20 receiving a primary vaccine regimen enhanced with three injections. METHODS: In this prospective longitudinal cohort study of 90 patients (47 on anti-CD20, 10 on fingolimod, 33 on natalizumab, dimethylfumarate or teriflunomide), anti-SARS-CoV-2 receptor binding domain (RBD) immunoglobulin G antibodies were quantified and their neutralization capacity was evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (GenScript) and a virus neutralization test against B.1 historical strain, Delta and Omicron variants, before and after three to four BNT162b2 injections. RESULTS: After the primary vaccination scheme, the anti-RBD positivity rate was strongly decreased in patients on anti-CD20 (28% [15%; 44%] after two shots, 45% [29%; 62%] after three shots) and fingolimod (50% [16%; 84%]) compared to other treatments (100% [90%; 100%]). Neutralization activity was also decreased in patients on anti-CD20 and fingolimod, and notably low for the Omicron variant in all patients (0%-22%). Delayed booster vaccination was performed in 54 patients, leading to a mild increase of anti-RBD seropositivity in patients on anti-CD20 although it was still lower compared to other treatments (65% [43%; 84%] vs. 100% [87%; 100%] respectively). After a booster, Omicron neutralization activity remained low on anti-CD20 and fingolimod treated patients but was strongly increased in patients on other treatments (91% [72%; 99%]). DISCUSSION: In MS patients on anti-CD20, an enhanced primary vaccination scheme moderately increased anti-RBD seropositivity and anti-RBD antibody titre, but neutralization activity remained modest even after a fourth booster injection. TRIAL REGISTRATION INFORMATION: COVIVAC-ID, NCT04844489, first patient included on 20 April 2021.

In-hospital mortality of older patients with COVID-19 throughout the epidemic waves in the great Paris area: a multicenter cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Mortality is high in older patients hospitalized with COVID-19. Previous studies observed lower mortality during the Omicron wave, yet no data is available on older patients. The objective was to compare in-hospital mortality between the Omicron and previous waves in older patients hospitalized with COVID-19. METHODS: This retrospective observational multicenter cohort study used the Greater Paris University Hospitals Group's data warehouse (38 hospitals). Patients aged ≥ 75 years with a confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis and hospitalized from March 2020 to January 2022 were included. The study period was divided into five waves. The fifth wave (January 1st to 31st 2022) was considered as the Omicron wave as it was the predominant variant (≥ 50%), and was compared with waves 1 (March-July 2020), 2 (August-December 2020), 3 (January-June 2021) and 4 (July-December 2021). Primary outcome was in-hospital mortality. Secondary outcome was occurrence of ICU admission or in-hospital death. Multivariate logistic regression was performed, with a sensitivity analysis according to variant type. RESULTS: Of the 195,084 patients hospitalized with COVID-19, 19,909 patients aged ≥ 75 years were included (median age 85 [IQR 79-90] years, 53% women). Overall in-hospital mortality was 4,337 (22%), reaching 345 (17%) during wave 5. Waves 1 and 3 were significantly associated with increased in-hospital mortality in comparison with wave 5 (adjusted Odds Ratios aOR 1.42 [95%CI 1.21-1.66] and 1.56 [95%CI 1.33-1.83] respectively). Waves 1 to 3 were associated with an increased risk of occurrence of ICU admission or in-hospital death in comparison with wave 5: aOR 1.29 [95% CI 1.12 to 1.49] for wave 1, aOR 1.25 [95% CI 1.08 to 1.45] for wave 2 and aOR 1.56 [95% CI 1.36 to 1.79] for wave 3. Sensitivity analysis found that Omicron variant was associated with decreased mortality, in comparison with previous variants. CONCLUSIONS: Mortality was lower during the 5th Omicron wave in the older population, but remained high, implying that this variant could be considered as "milder" but not "mild". This persistently high mortality during the 5th Omicron wave highlights the importance of including older patients in clinical trials to confirm the benefit/risk balance of COVID-19 treatments in this fragile population.

Comparison of Patients Infected With Delta Versus Omicron COVID-19 Variants Presenting to Paris Emergency Departments : A Retrospective Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: At the end of 2021, the B.1.1.529 SARS-CoV-2 variant (Omicron) wave superseded the B.1.617.2 variant (Delta) wave. OBJECTIVE: To compare baseline characteristics and in-hospital outcomes of patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection with the Delta variant versus the Omicron variant in the emergency department (ED). DESIGN: Retrospective chart reviews. SETTING: 13 adult EDs in academic hospitals in the Paris area from 29 November 2021 to 10 January 2022. PATIENTS: Patients with a positive reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test result for SARS-CoV-2 and variant identification. MEASUREMENTS: Main outcome measures were baseline clinical and biological characteristics at ED presentation, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, mechanical ventilation, and in-hospital mortality. RESULTS: A total of 3728 patients had a positive RT-PCR test result for SARS-CoV-2 during the study period; 1716 patients who had a variant determination (818 Delta and 898 Omicron) were included. Median age was 58 years, and 49% were women. Patients infected with the Omicron variant were younger (54 vs. 62 years; difference, 8.0 years [95% CI, 4.6 to 11.4 years]), had a lower rate of obesity (8.0% vs. 12.5%; difference, 4.5 percentage points [CI, 1.5 to 7.5 percentage points]), were more vaccinated (65% vs. 39% for 1 dose and 22% vs. 11% for 3 doses), had a lower rate of dyspnea (26% vs. 50%; difference, 23.6 percentage points [CI, 19.0 to 28.2 percentage points]), and had a higher rate of discharge home from the ED (59% vs. 37%; difference, 21.9 percentage points [-26.5 to -17.1 percentage points]). Compared with Delta, Omicron infection was independently associated with a lower risk for ICU admission (adjusted difference, 11.4 percentage points [CI, 8.4 to 14.4 percentage points]), mechanical ventilation (adjusted difference, 3.6 percentage points [CI, 1.7 to 5.6 percentage points]), and in-hospital mortality (adjusted difference, 4.2 percentage points [CI, 2.0 to 6.5 percentage points]). LIMITATION: Patients with COVID-19 illness and no SARS-CoV-2 variant determination in the ED were excluded. CONCLUSION: Compared with the Delta variant, infection with the Omicron variant in patients in the ED had different clinical and biological patterns and was associated with better in-hospital outcomes, including higher survival. PRIMARY FUNDING SOURCE: None.

Poor Antibody Response After Two Doses of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Vaccine in Transplant Recipients.

A low anti-spike antibody response of 28.6% was observed 28 days after BNT162b2 vaccine second dose among 133 solid organ transplant recipients without previous coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). No serious adverse events were recorded. Four severe COVID-19 cases were reported between or after the 2 doses. Our data suggest to change the vaccine strategy.

Neutralization Heterogeneity of UK and South African Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Variants in BNT162b2-Vaccinated or Convalescent Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Healthcare Workers.

There are concerns about neutralizing antibodies' (NAbs') potency against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 variants. Despite decreased NAb titers elicited by BNT162b2 vaccine against VOC202012/01 and 501Y.V2 strains, 28/29 healthcare workers (HCWs) had an NAb titer ≥1:10. In contrast, 6 months after coronavirus disease 2019 mild forms, only 9/15 (60%) of HCWs displayed detectable NAbs against 501Y.V2 strain.

Human Herpesvirus 8 seroprevalence among blood donors in Mali.

In sub-Saharan Africa, the Human Herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) is endemic but with disparities between regions and population studied. Although the virus remains mostly latent, there is some evidence that blood transfusion may represents one of the transmission way for this virus. Here, we evaluated HHV-8 seroprevalence among blood donors in Mali. This cross-sectional study recruited blood donors from the Blood Transfusion Center at Gabriel Touré Hospital, Bamako. Serum was used for the detection of latent HHV-8 immunoglobulin G directed against latent associated nuclear antigen 1 by an indirect immunofluorescence assay. Human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1), Hepatitis B Virus (HBV), HCV, and Treponema pallidum were also screened. HHV-8 seroprevalence was 10.4% in Malian blood donors. None of the sociodemographic characteristics were associated with HHV-8 infection, although there is a tendency of a higher HHV-8 seroprevalence among participants living in Bamako than those not living there. One individual had coinfection HHV-8/HBV, another HHV-8/HCV while another had HCV and T. pallidum. None has been tested positive for HIV infection. This intermediate seroprevalence in Malian blood donors suggests that the risk of HHV-8 transmission by transfusion should be considered. Further investigations are needed to assess impact of HHV-8 in polytransfused patients residing in an endemic area for this virus.

Distinct cytokine profiles associated with COVID-19 severity and mortality.

BACKGROUND: Markedly elevated levels of proinflammatory cytokines and defective type-I interferon responses were reported in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). OBJECTIVE: We sought to determine whether particular cytokine profiles are associated with COVID-19 severity and mortality. METHODS: Cytokine concentrations and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 antigen were measured at hospital admission in serum of symptomatic patients with COVID-19 (N = 115), classified at hospitalization into 3 respiratory severity groups: no need for mechanical ventilatory support (No-MVS), intermediate severity requiring mechanical ventilatory support (MVS), and critical severity requiring extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). Principal-component analysis was used to characterize cytokine profiles associated with severity and mortality. The results were thereafter confirmed in an independent validation cohort (N = 86). RESULTS: At time of hospitalization, ECMO patients presented a dominant proinflammatory response with elevated levels of TNF-α, IL-6, IL-8, and IL-10. In contrast, an elevated type-I interferon response involving IFN-α and IFN-ß was characteristic of No-MVS patients, whereas MVS patients exhibited both profiles. Mortality at 1 month was associated with higher levels of proinflammatory cytokines in ECMO patients, higher levels of type-I interferons in No-MVS patients, and their combination in MVS patients, resulting in a combined mortality prediction accuracy of 88.5% (risk ratio, 24.3; P < .0001). Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 antigen levels correlated with type-I interferon levels and were associated with mortality, but not with proinflammatory response or severity. CONCLUSIONS: Distinct cytokine profiles are observed in association with COVID-19 severity and are differentially predictive of mortality according to oxygen support modalities. These results warrant personalized treatment of COVID-19 patients based on cytokine profiling.

Inherited GATA2 Deficiency Is Dominant by Haploinsufficiency and Displays Incomplete Clinical Penetrance.

PURPOSE: Germline heterozygous mutations of GATA2 underlie a variety of hematological and clinical phenotypes. The genetic, immunological, and clinical features of GATA2-deficient patients with mycobacterial diseases in the familial context remain largely unknown. METHODS: We enrolled 15 GATA2 index cases referred for mycobacterial disease. We describe their genetic and clinical features including their relatives. RESULTS: We identified 12 heterozygous GATA2 mutations, two of which had not been reported. Eight of these mutations were loss-of-function, and four were hypomorphic. None was dominant-negative in vitro, and the GATA2 locus was found to be subject to purifying selection, strongly suggesting a mechanism of haploinsufficiency. Three relatives of index cases had mycobacterial disease and were also heterozygous, resulting in 18 patients in total. Mycobacterial infection was the first clinical manifestation in 11 patients, at a mean age of 22.5 years (range: 12 to 42 years). Most patients also suffered from other infections, monocytopenia, or myelodysplasia. Strikingly, the clinical penetrance was incomplete (32.9% by age 40 years), as 16 heterozygous relatives aged between 6 and 78 years, including 4 older than 60 years, were completely asymptomatic. CONCLUSION: Clinical penetrance for mycobacterial disease was found to be similar to other GATA2 deficiency-related manifestations. These observations suggest that other mechanisms contribute to the phenotypic expression of GATA2 deficiency. A diagnosis of autosomal dominant GATA2 deficiency should be considered in patients with mycobacterial infections and/or other GATA2 deficiency-related phenotypes at any age in life. Moreover, all direct relatives should be genotyped at the GATA2 locus.

Performance of 30 commercial SARS-CoV-2 serology assays in testing symptomatic COVID-19 patients.

We report evaluation of 30 assays' (17 rapid tests (RDTs) and 13 automated/manual ELISA/CLIA assay (IAs)) clinical performances with 2594 sera collected from symptomatic patients with positive SARS-CoV-2 rRT-PCR on a respiratory sample, and 1996 pre-epidemic serum samples expected to be negative. Only 4 RDT and 3 IAs fitted both specificity (> 98%) and sensitivity (> 90%) criteria according to French recommendations. Serology may offer valuable information during COVID-19 pandemic, but inconsistent performances observed among the 30 commercial assays evaluated, which underlines the importance of independent evaluation before clinical implementation.

A Variety of Alu-Mediated Copy Number Variations Can Underlie IL-12Rß1 Deficiency.

PURPOSE: Inborn errors of IFN-γ immunity underlie Mendelian susceptibility to mycobacterial disease (MSMD). Autosomal recessive complete IL-12Rß1 deficiency is the most frequent genetic etiology of MSMD. Only two of the 84 known mutations are copy number variations (CNVs), identified in two of the 213 IL-12Rß1-deficient patients and two of the 164 kindreds reported. These two CNVs are large deletions found in the heterozygous or homozygous state. We searched for novel families with IL-12Rß1 deficiency due to CNVs. METHODS: We studied six MSMD patients from five unrelated kindreds displaying adverse reactions to BCG vaccination. Three of the patients also presented systemic salmonellosis, two had mucocutaneous candidiasis, and one had disseminated histoplasmosis. We searched for CNVs and other variations by IL12RB1-targeted next-generation sequencing (NGS). RESULTS: We identified six new IL-12Rß1-deficient patients with a complete loss of IL-12Rß1 expression on phytohemagglutinin-activated T cells and/or EBV-transformed B cells. The cells of these patients did not respond to IL-12 and IL-23. Five different CNVs encompassing IL12RB1 (four deletions and one duplication) were identified in these patients by NGS coverage analysis, either in the homozygous state (n = 1) or in trans (n = 4) with a single-nucleotide variation (n = 3) or a small indel (n = 1). Seven of the nine mutations are novel. Interestingly, four of the five CNVs were predicted to be driven by nearby Alu elements, as well as the two previously reported large deletions. The IL12RB1 locus is actually enriched in Alu elements (44.7%), when compared with the rest of the genome (10.5%). CONCLUSION: The IL12RB1 locus is Alu-enriched and therefore prone to rearrangements at various positions. CNVs should be considered in the genetic diagnosis of IL-12Rß1 deficiency.

Anti-SARS-CoV-2 glyco-humanized polyclonal antibody XAV-19: phase II/III randomized placebo-controlled trial shows acceleration to recovery for mild to moderate patients with COVID-19.

Introduction: XAV-19 is a glyco-humanized swine polyclonal antibody targeting SARS-CoV-2 with high neutralizing activity. The safety and clinical efficacy of XAV-19 were investigated in patients with mild to moderate COVID-19. Methods: This phase II/III, multicentric, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted to evaluate the safety and clinical efficacy of XAV-19 in patients with a seven-point WHO score of 2 to 4 at randomization, i.e., inpatients with COVID-19 requiring or not requiring low-flow oxygen therapy, and outpatients not requiring oxygen (EUROXAV trial, NCT04928430). Adult patients presenting in specialized or emergency units with confirmed COVID-19 and giving their consent to participate in the study were randomized to receive 150 mg of XAV-19 or placebo. The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients with aggravation within 8 days after treatment, defined as a worsening of the seven-point WHO score of at least one point between day 8 and day 1 (inclusion). The neutralization activity of XAV-19 against variants circulating during the trial was tested in parallel. Results: From March 2021 to October 2022, 279 patients received either XAV-19 (N = 140) or placebo (N = 139). A slow enrollment and a low rate of events forced the termination of the premature trial. XAV-19 was well tolerated. Underpowered statistics did not allow the detection of any difference in the primary endpoint between the two groups or in stratified groups. Interestingly, analysis of the time to improvement (secondary endpoint) showed that XAV-19 significantly accelerated the recovery for patients with a WHO score of 2 or 3 (median at 7 days vs. 14 days, p = 0.0159), and even more for patients with a WHO score of 2 (4 days vs. 14 days, p = 0.0003). The neutralizing activity against Omicron and BA.2, BA.2.12.1, BA.4/5, and BQ.1.1 subvariants was shown. Discussion: In this randomized placebo- controlled trial with premature termination, reduction of aggravation by XAV-19 at day 8 in patients with COVID-19 was not detectable. However, a significant reduction of the time to improvement for patients not requiring oxygen was observed. XAV-19 maintained a neutralizing activity against SARS-CoV-2 variants. Altogether, these data support a possible therapeutic interest for patients with mild to moderate COVID-19 requiring anti-SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies. Clinical Trial Registration: https://clinicaltrials.gov/, identifier NCT04928430; https://www.clinicaltrialsregister.eu/about.html (EudraCT), identifier 2020-005979-12.

Seroprevalence of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus among people living with HIV in Brazzaville, Congo and among blood donors in Bamako, Mali.

Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) is the causative agent of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF), a highly contagious and potentially fatal emerging disease. We assessed CCHFV seroprevalence by conducting a serological survey of two cohorts from Brazzaville, Congo and Bamako, Mali. We retrospectively screened 581 sera samples, including 352 from monitoring centers for people living with HIV (PLWH) in Brazzaville and 229 provided by the Blood Transfusion Center at Gabriel Touré Hospital in Bamako. An ELISA kit (ID Screen® CCHF Double Antigen Multi-species, Innovative Diagnostics) was used to detect total anti-CCHFV antibodies in serum. CCHFV seroprevalence was 0.6% in the PLWH cohort in Brazzaville, all in a peri­urban area near livestock/agriculture, and 1.75% in a cohort of blood donors in Bamako, half living in a peri­urban area near livestock/agriculture and the others performing risk-exposure activities, such as working as a butcher or with frequent rural travels. PLWH from Brazzaville were mostly female, older, and more highly educated, with a tertiary sector activity and living in an urban biotope without livestock/agricultural activities in the surroundings, in contrast to the blood donors of Bamako, who were younger and more likely to live in peri­urban/rural areas with livestock/agricultural activities in the surroundings. Despite a low CCHFV seroprevalence, our study indicates human contact with CCHFV in sub-urban areas of the capital cities of Congo and Mali associated with previously described CCHFV risk factors.

Prolonged replication of BA.1 and BA.2 Omicron lineages compared to Delta variant in nasopharyngeal samples from COVID-19 patients.

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to characterize and compare the viral loads (VL) of the Omicron BA.1 and BA.2 lineages and the Delta variant in nasopharyngeal samples from newly diagnosed COVID-19 patients and their kinetics over time. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The kinetics of the VL were measured on the CT data from 215 SARS-CoV-2 positive patients who presented at least two positive PCRs a day apart and were screened for SARS-CoV-2 viral lineages. RESULTS: We observed no significant difference in median CT value during the first diagnostic test between the Delta variant and the two Omicron lineages. However, the kinetics of CT decreases for the BA.1 and BA.2 lineage were significantly lengthier in time than the kinetics for the Delta variant. The BA.2 lineage presented lower median CT value (-2 CT) (inversely proportional to the VL) than the BA.1 lineage. CONCLUSIONS: BA.2 Omicron lineage presented higher VL than BA.1 Omicron lineage at diagnostic. Omicron BA.1 and BA.2 lineages have more prolonged replication than the Delta variant.

COVID-19 early curative treatments in kidney transplant recipients: is it really reasonable at the Omicron era?

Objective: Data about efficacy and safety of the latest COVID-19 treatments as nirmatrelvir/ritonavir (n/r) or Sotrovimab is scarce in solid organ transplant recipients in the Omicron era. This study aims at describing the outcome of kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) presenting Omicron infection according to their management: n/r, sotrovimab or no specific treatment. Patients and methods: We conducted a monocentric, retrospective observational study, including KTRs diagnosed Omicron infection between January and May 1st 2022 and compared their outcome (primary outcome defined as hospital admission for COVID-19 within a month after symptoms onset) according to early COVID-19 management. Results: Forty-five patients were included: 22 treated (12 n/r, 10 sotrovimab) and 23 with no specific treatment. The groups were statistically comparable. Two patients were admitted for COVID-19: one in each group, resulting in a non-different probability of the primary outcome at on month (p=0.9). Three patients presented tacrolimus overdose including two with acute kidney injury. Conclusions: There was no difference in outcome according to early therapeutic management: n/r, sotrovimab or no specific treatment. Our study both underlines a decreased severity of Omicron COVID-19 in KTRs (probably related to vaccinal immunity and decreased virulence of Omicron) and a potential severe adverse effects with n/r.

Objectif: Les données sur l'efficacité et la sécurité des derniers traitements de la Covid-19 sont peu nombreuses à l'ère du variant Omicron. Cette étude avait pour objectif de décrire l'évolution des transplantés rénaux (TR) présentant une infection à Omicron selon le traitement précoce reçu : nirmatrelvir/ritonavir (n/r), sotrovimab, ou pas de traitement. Patients et méthodes: Il s'agissait d'une étude monocentrique rétrospective observationnelle incluant tous les TR présentant une infection confirmée à Omicron entre le 1er janvier 2022 et le 1er mai 2022 et comparant leur évolution (critère de jugement principal : admission hospitalière pour Covid-19 à un mois du début des symptômes) selon leur prise en charge. Résultats: Quarante-cinq patients ont été inclus : 22 traités (12 n/r et 10 sotrovimab) et 23 non traités. Les groupes étaient statistiquement comparables. Seulement deux patients ont présenté le critère de jugement principal : un n/r et un non traité, avec une probabilité à un mois non différente (p = 0,9). Trois patients sur 12 ont en revanche présenté des surdosages en tacrolimus dans le groupe n/r, dont deux avec une insuffisance rénale aiguë. Conclusions: Dans les limites d'un petit effectif, nous n'avons pas montré de bénéfice au traitement précoce par n/r ou sotrovimab. On peut évoquer un effet de l'immunité vaccinale et une baisse de virulence du SARS-CoV-2. En revanche, les effets secondaires du n/r ne sont pas anodins avec des surdosages sévères malgré des protocoles de service précis. La balance bénéfice-risque de ces traitements doit être rediscutée.

Comparative Performance of Anyplex II HPV28 and Cobas 4800 Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Assays for High-Risk HPV Detection in Self-collected Anal Samples.

We compared 2 human papillomavirus (HPV) assays to detect the 14 high-risk HPV (hrHPV) genotypes in self-collected anal samples. We found a good agreement and similar performance to detect HPV-16, HPV-18, and the 12 other hrHPV genotypes. The global performance to detect the 14 hrHPV genotypes was not significantly different between the 2 assays.

Severity of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant infection in heart transplant recipients.

SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant was first detected in France mid-November 2021 in wastewater treatment plants while cases started to increase at the beginning of December. The maximum incidence occurred in mid-January 2022. The Omicron wave spread rapidly throughout France in general population with lower case-fatality rate compared with previous waves. Little is known about infection with Omicron variant in heart transplant (HT) recipients. In this study, we examined incidence and mortality rate of COVID-19 in the general population and among 1,263 HT recipients during the period from June, 2021 to February, 2022, described characteristics of HT recipients infected with SARS-CoV-2 during Omicron (December 1st, 2021-February 7, 2022) and Delta (June 1st- November 30, 2021) periods, and compared hospital course of HT recipients with Omicron and Delta variant infection. Our findings contrast with the reported lower severity for Omicron variant infection compared with Delta variant infection in immunocompetent individuals.

Viral loads in clinical samples of men with monkeypox virus infection: a French case series.

BACKGROUND: Monkeypox virus (MPXV) is currently spreading among men who have sex with men, outside of sub-Saharan Africa, and close contact during sex seems to be one of the key pathways of viral transmission in the current outbreak. Our aim was to describe the distribution of MPXV in the human body, as it might play a role in its dissemination through sexual contact. METHODS: The study population in this case series consisted of patients with confirmed MPXV infection attending the Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital (Paris, France), who had been sampled from multiple anatomical sites, including skin, anus, throat, blood, urine, and semen, at diagnosis and 2 weeks later. We compared the proportion of positive samples and MPXV viral loads (given as PCR cycle thresholds [Ct]) between anatomical sites, and between day 0 (D0) and D14. FINDINGS: Overall, 356 samples were collected between May 20 and June 13, 2022, from 50 men with a median age of 34 years (IQR 29-40). 22 (44%) of the 50 men were classified as HIV-negative on day (D)0, and 22 (44%) were living with HIV. At D0, MPXV detection was more frequent from skin (44 [88%] of 50), anus (30 [71%] of 42), and throat (36 [77%] of 47) than from blood (13 [29%] of 45), urine (nine [22%] of 41), or semen (13 [54%] of 24). Viral loads were significantly higher from skin lesions (Ct 19·8) and anal samples (Ct 20·9) than from throat (Ct 27·2), blood (Ct 32·8), urine (31·1), or semen samples (Ct 27·8). When analysing the 107 samples taken from 24 patients at D14, the proportion of positive samples strongly decreased between D0 and D14 at all sites: skin (four [22%] of 18), anus (two [9%] of 22), throat (none of 21), blood (one [5%] of 21), urine (none of 14), and semen (two [9%] of 11). INTERPRETATION: These data contribute to a better understanding of how the virus might spread between sexual partners over a relatively short period of time. High MPXV viral loads from skin and mucosa, including genital and anal sites, suggest that transmission most likely occurs through direct body contact rather than through the respiratory route or contact with body fluids, which should help to refine the prevention messages delivered to individuals most exposed to the virus. FUNDING: None.