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BACKGROUND: Side effects to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccines are a key concern contributing to vaccine hesitancy, but more individuals may be encouraged if SARS-CoV-2 vaccines were known to lead to a stronger immune response.METHODS: Included were adult participants from the Danish National Cohort Study of Effectiveness and Safety of SARS-CoV-2 Vaccines (ENFORCE) who completed a questionnaire to assess systemic reactions following SARS-CoV-2 vaccination (BTN162b2, mRNA-1273, ChAdOx1) and had SARS-CoV-2 spike immunoglobulin G (IgG) levels measured at baseline and post-vaccine. A symptom score was developed to measure severity of systemic adverse reactions (+1 for each moderate, +2 for each severe). Post-vaccination SARS-CoV-2 spike IgG levels were compared between participants with different scores using multivariable linear regression.RESULTS: A total of 6528 participants were included (56.3% females; median age [interquartile range], 64 [54-75] years). After the first vaccination, no association was found between symptom score and post-vaccine dose spike IgG level ( P = .575). Following the second vaccination, significantly higher spike IgG levels were observed according to higher symptom scores ( P < .001); adjusted geometric mean ratios were 1.16 (95% CI, 1.04-1.30), 1.24 (95% CI, 1.09-1.41), 1.25 (95% CI, 1.06-1.46), and 1.21 (95% CI, 1.08-1.35), for scores of 2, 3, 4, and ≥5, respectively, compared with a score of 0. After adjustment for pre-vaccine dose spike IgG, this association was attenuated. CONCLUSIONS: An association was found between more severe adverse reactions and stronger antibody response after the second vaccination but not the first, likely attributed to higher levels of preexisting immunity gained from response to first vaccination. Regardless of side effects, most people experienced an effective immune response following vaccination.

BackgroundSide effects to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccines are a key concern contributing to vaccine hesitancy, but more individuals may be encouraged if SARS-CoV-2 vaccines were known to lead to a stronger immune response.MethodsIncluded were adult participants from the Danish National Cohort Study of Effectiveness and Safety of SARS-CoV-2 Vaccines (ENFORCE) who completed a questionnaire to assess systemic reactions following SARS-CoV-2 vaccination (BTN162b2, mRNA-1273, ChAdOx1) and had SARS-CoV-2 spike immunoglobulin G (IgG) levels measured at baseline and post–vaccine. A symptom score was developed to measure severity of systemic adverse reactions (+1 for each moderate, +2 for each severe). Post–vaccination SARS-CoV-2 spike IgG levels were compared between participants with different scores using multivariable linear regression.ResultsA total of 6528 participants were included (56.3% females; median age [interquartile range], 64 [54–75] years). After the first vaccination, no association was found between symptom score and post–vaccine dose spike IgG level (P = .575). Following the second vaccination, significantly higher spike IgG levels were observed according to higher symptom scores (P < .001); adjusted geometric mean ratios were 1.16 (95% CI, 1.04–1.30), 1.24 (95% CI, 1.09–1.41), 1.25 (95% CI, 1.06–1.46), and 1.21 (95% CI, 1.08–1.35), for scores of 2, 3, 4, and ≥5, respectively, compared with a score of 0. After adjustment for pre–vaccine dose spike IgG, this association was attenuated.ConclusionsAn association was found between more severe adverse reactions and stronger antibody response after the second vaccination but not the first, likely attributed to higher levels of preexisting immunity gained from response to first vaccination. Regardless of side effects, most people experienced an effective immune response following vaccination.

Background: Older age and chronic disease are important risk factors for developing severe COVID-19. At population level, vaccine-induced immunity substantially reduces the risk of severe COVID-19 disease and hospitalization. However, the relative impact of humoral and cellular immunity on protection from breakthrough infection and severe disease is not fully understood.Methods: In a study cohort of 655 primarily older study participants (median of 63 years (IQR: 51-72)), we determined serum levels of Spike IgG antibodies using a Multiantigen Serological Assay and quantified the frequency of SARS-CoV-2 Spike-specific CD4 + and CD8 + T cells using activation induced marker assay. This enabled characterization of suboptimal vaccine-induced cellular immunity. The risk factors of being a cellular hypo responder were assessed using logistic regression. Further follow-up of study participants allowed for an evaluation of the impact of T cell immunity on breakthrough infections.Results: We show reduced serological immunity and frequency of CD4 + Spike-specific T cells in the oldest age group (≥75 years) and higher Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) categories. Male sex, age group ≥75 years, and CCI > 0 is associated with an increased likelihood of being a cellular hypo-responder while vaccine type is a significant risk factor. Assessing breakthrough infections, no protective effect of T cell immunity is identified.Conclusions: SARS-CoV-2 Spike-specific immune responses in both the cellular and serological compartment of the adaptive immune system increase with each vaccine dose and are progressively lower with older age and higher prevalence of comorbidities. The findings contribute to the understanding of the vaccine response in individuals with increased risk of severe COVID-19 disease and hospitalization. BACKGROUND: Older age and chronic disease are important risk factors for developing severe COVID-19. At population level, vaccine-induced immunity substantially reduces the risk of severe COVID-19 disease and hospitalization. However, the relative impact of humoral and cellular immunity on protection from breakthrough infection and severe disease is not fully understood.METHODS: In a study cohort of 655 primarily older study participants (median of 63 years (IQR: 51-72)), we determined serum levels of Spike IgG antibodies using a Multiantigen Serological Assay and quantified the frequency of SARS-CoV-2 Spike-specific CD4 + and CD8 + T cells using activation induced marker assay. This enabled characterization of suboptimal vaccine-induced cellular immunity. The risk factors of being a cellular hypo responder were assessed using logistic regression. Further follow-up of study participants allowed for an evaluation of the impact of T cell immunity on breakthrough infections.RESULTS: We show reduced serological immunity and frequency of CD4 + Spike-specific T cells in the oldest age group (≥75 years) and higher Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) categories. Male sex, age group ≥75 years, and CCI > 0 is associated with an increased likelihood of being a cellular hypo-responder while vaccine type is a significant risk factor. Assessing breakthrough infections, no protective effect of T cell immunity is identified.CONCLUSIONS: SARS-CoV-2 Spike-specific immune responses in both the cellular and serological compartment of the adaptive immune system increase with each vaccine dose and are progressively lower with older age and higher prevalence of comorbidities. The findings contribute to the understanding of the vaccine response in individuals with increased risk of severe COVID-19 disease and hospitalization.

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has, as of July 2022, infected more than 550 million people and caused over 6 million deaths across the world. COVID-19 vaccines were quickly developed to protect against severe disease, hospitalization and death. In the present study, we performed a direct comparative analysis of four COVID-19 vaccines: BNT162b2 (Pfizer/BioNTech), mRNA-1273 (Moderna), ChAdOx1 (Oxford/AstraZeneca) and Ad26.COV2.S (Johnson & Johnson/Janssen), following primary and booster vaccination. We focused on the vaccine-induced antibody-mediated immune response against multiple SARS-CoV-2 variants: wildtype, B.1.1.7 (Alpha), B.1.351 (Beta), B.1.617.2 (Delta) and B.1.1.529 (Omicron). The analysis included the quantification of total IgG levels against SARS-CoV-2 Spike, as well as the quantification of antibody neutralization titers. Furthermore, the study assessed the high-throughput ACE2 competition assay as a surrogate for the traditional pseudovirus neutralization assay. The results demonstrated marked differences in antibody-mediated immune responses. The lowest Spike-specific IgG levels and antibody neutralization titers were induced by one dose of the Ad26.COV2.S vaccine, intermediate levels by two doses of the BNT162b2 vaccine, and the highest levels by two doses of the mRNA-1273 vaccine or heterologous vaccination of one dose of the ChAdOx1 vaccine and a subsequent mRNA vaccine. The study also demonstrated that accumulation of SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein mutations was accompanied by a marked decline in antibody neutralization capacity, especially for B.1.1.529. Administration of a booster dose was shown to significantly increase Spike-specific IgG levels and antibody neutralization titers, erasing the differences between the vaccine-induced antibody-mediated immune response between the four vaccines. The findings of this study highlight the importance of booster vaccines and the potential inclusion of future heterologous vaccination strategies for broad protection against current and emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants.

The incidence of AIDS was higher in patients with a current CD4 count of 500-749 cells/µL compared to 750-999 cells/µL, but did not decrease further at higher CD4 levels. Results were similar in those virologically suppressed on combination antiretroviral therapy, suggesting immune reconstitution is incomplete until CD4 >750/µL

Virally suppressed HIV-positive individuals on combination antiretroviral therapy who do not achieve a CD4 count >200 cells/µL have substantially increased long-term mortality. The increased mortality was seen across different patient groups and for all causes of death

Amanda Mocroft and colleagues investigate risk factors and health outcomes associated with diagnosis at a late stage of infection in individuals across Europe. Please see later in the article for the Editors' Summary, Background Few studies have monitored late presentation (LP) of HIV infection over the European continent, including Eastern Europe. Study objectives were to explore the impact of LP on AIDS and mortality. Methods and Findings LP was defined in Collaboration of Observational HIV Epidemiological Research Europe (COHERE) as HIV diagnosis with a CD4 count, Editors' Summary Background Every year about 2.5 million people become newly infected with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. HIV can be transmitted through unprotected sex with an infected partner, from an HIV-positive mother to her unborn baby, or through injection of drugs. Most people do not become ill immediately after infection with HIV although some develop a short influenza-like illness. The next stage of the HIV infection, which may last up to 10 years, also has no major symptoms but, during this stage, HIV slowly destroys immune system cells, including CD4 cells, a type of lymphocyte. Eventually, when the immune system is unable to fight off infections by other disease-causing organisms, HIV-positive people develop AIDS-defining conditions—unusual viral, bacterial, and fungal infections and unusual tumors. Progression to AIDS occurs when any severe AIDS-defining condition is diagnosed, when the CD4 count in the blood falls below 200 cells/mm3, or when CD4 cells account for fewer than 15% of lymphocytes. Why Was This Study Done? People need to know they are HIV positive as soon as possible after they become infected because antiretroviral therapy, which controls but does not cure HIV infection, works best if it is initiated when people still have a relatively high CD4 count. Early diagnosis also reduces the risk of onward HIV transmission. However, 40%–60% of HIV-positive individuals in developed countries are not diagnosed until they have a low CD4 count or an AIDS-defining illness. Reasons for such late presentation include fear of discrimination or stigmatization, limited knowledge about HIV risk factors, testing, and treatment together with missed opportunities to offer an HIV test. Policy makers involved in national and international HIV control programs need detailed information about patterns of late presentation before they can make informed decisions about how to reduce this problem. In this study, therefore, the researchers use data collected by the Collaboration of Observational HIV Epidemiological Research in Europe (COHERE) to analyze trends in late presentation over time across Europe and in different groups of people at risk of HIV infection and to investigate the clinical consequences of late presentation. What Did the Researchers Do and Find? The researchers analyzed data collected from 84,524 individuals participating in more than 20 observational studies that were undertaken in 35 European countries and that investigated outcomes among HIV-positive people. Nearly 54% of the participants were late presenters—individuals who had a CD4 count of less than 350 cells/mm3 or an AIDS-defining illness within 6 months of HIV diagnosis. Late presentation was highest among heterosexual males, in Southern European countries, and among people originating in Africa. Overall, late presentation decreased from 57.3% in 2000 to 51.7% in 2010/11. However, whereas late presentation decreased over time among men having sex with men in Central and Northern Europe, for example, it increased over time among female heterosexuals in Southern Europe. Finally, among the 8,000 individuals who developed a new AIDS-defining illness or died during follow-up, compared to non-late presentation, late presentation was associated with an increased incidence of AIDS/death in all regions of Europe during the first and second year after HIV diagnosis (but not in later years); the largest increase in incidence (13-fold) occurred during the first year after diagnosis in Southern Europe. What Do These Findings Mean? These findings indicate that, although late presentation with HIV infection has decreased in recent years, it remains an important issue across Europe and in all groups of people at risk of HIV infection. They also show that individuals presenting late have a worse clinical outlook, particularly in the first and second year after diagnosis compared to non-late presenters. Several aspects of the study design may affect the accuracy and usefulness of these findings, however. For example, some of the study participants recorded as late presenters may have been people who were aware of their HIV status but who chose not to seek care for HIV infection, or may have been seen in the health care system prior to HIV diagnosis without being offered an HIV test. Delayed entry into care and late presentation are likely to have different risk factors, a possibility that needs to be studied further. Despite this and other study limitations, these findings nevertheless suggest that HIV testing strategies that encourage early testing in all populations at risk, that ensure timely referrals, and that improve retention in care are required to further reduce the incidence of late presentation with HIV infection in Europe. Additional Information Please access these websites via the online version of this summary at http://dx.doi.org/ 10.1371/journal.pmed.1001510. Information is available from the US National Institute of Allergy and infectious diseases on HIV infection and AIDS NAM/aidsmap provides basic information about HIV/AIDS, and summaries of recent research findings on HIV care and treatment Information is available from Avert, an international AIDS charity, on many aspects of HIV/AIDS, including detailed information on the stages of HIV infection and on HIV and AIDS in Europe (in English and Spanish) The HIV in Europe Initiative has information about strategies to improve earlier diagnosis and access to care in Europe Information about COHERE, which was established in 2005 to conduct epidemiological research on the prognosis and outcome of HIV-infected people from across Europe, is available; more information on the consensus definition of late presentation used in this study is available through the HIV in Europe initiative Patient stories about living with HIV/AIDS are available through Avert and through the nonprofit website Healthtalkonline

Background Few studies have monitored late presentation (LP) of HIV infection over the European continent, including Eastern Europe. Study objectives were to explore the impact of LP on AIDS and mortality. Methods and Findings LP was defined in Collaboration of Observational HIV Epidemiological Research Europe (COHERE) as HIV diagnosis with a CD4 count

Background. Low 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) has been associated with inflammation, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) disease progression, and death. We aimed to identify the prognostic value of 25(OH)D for AIDS, non-AIDS-defining events and death, and its association with immunological/inflammatory markers. Methods. Prospective 1-1 case-control study nested within the EuroSIDA cohort. Matched cases and controls for AIDS (n = 50 matched pairs), non-AIDS-defining (n = 63) events and death (n = 41), with plasma samples during follow-up were selected. Conditional logistic regression models investigated associations between 25(OH)D levels and annual 25(OH)D change and the probability of events. Mixed models investigated relationships between 25(OH)D levels and immunological/inflammatory markers. Results. In sum, 250 patients were included. Median time between first and last sample and last sample and event was 44.6(interquartile range [IQR]: 22.7-72.3) and 3.1(IQR: 1.4-6.4) months. Odds of death decreased by 46.0%(95% confidence interval [CI], 2.0-70.0, P =. 04) for a 2-fold increase in latest 25(OH)D level. There was no association between 25(OH)D and the occurrence of AIDS or non-AIDS-defining events (P >. 05). In patients with current 25(OH)D

Contains fulltext : 135923.pdf (Publisher’s version ) (Open Access) BACKGROUND: The impact of immunosuppression despite virological suppression (immuno-virological discordance, ID) on the risk of developing fatal and non-fatal AIDS/non-AIDS events is unclear and remains to be elucidated. METHODS: Patients in EuroSIDA starting at least 1 new antiretroviral drug with CD4500 copies/mL were followed-up from the first day of VL< = 50 copies/ml until a new fatal/non-fatal non-AIDS/AIDS event. Considered non-AIDS events included non-AIDS malignancies, pancreatitis, severe liver disease with hepatic encephalopathy (>grade 3), cardio- and cerebrovascular events, and end-stage renal disease. Patients were classified over time according to whether current CD4 count was above (non-ID) or below (ID) baseline level. Relative rates (RR) of events were calculated for ID vs. non-ID using adjusted Poisson regression models. RESULTS: 2,913 patients contributed 11,491 person-years for the analysis of non-AIDS. 241 pre-specified non-AIDS events (including 84 deaths) and 89 AIDS events (including 10 deaths) occurred. The RR of developing pre-specified non-AIDS events for ID vs. non-ID was 1.96 (95% CI 1.37-2.81, p

Background: Despite the known substantial benefits of combination antiretroviral therapy (cART), cumulative adverse effects could still limit the overall long-term treatment benefit. Therefore we investigated changes in the rate of death with increasing exposure to cART. Methods: A total of 12 069 patients were followed from baseline, which was defined as the time of starting cART or enrolment into EuroSIDA whichever occurred later, until death or 6 months after last follow-up visit. Incidence rates of death were calculated per 1000 person-years of follow-up (PYFU) and stratified by time of exposure to cART (>= 3 antiretrovirals): less than 2, 2-3.99, 4-5.99, 6-7.99 and more than 8 years. Duration of cART exposure was the cumulative time actually receiving cART. Poisson regression models were fitted for each cause of death separately. Results: A total of 1297 patients died during 70 613 PYFU [incidence rate 18.3 per 1000 PYFU, 95% confidence interval (CI) 17.4-19.4], 413 due to AIDS (5.85, 95% CI 5.28-6.41) and 884 due to non-AIDS-related cause (12.5, 95% CI 11.7-13.3). After adjustment for confounding variables, including baseline CD4 cell count and HIV RNA, there was a significant decrease in the rate of all-cause and AIDS-related death between 2 and 3.99 years and longer exposure time. In the first 2 years on cART the risk of non-AIDS death was significantly lower, but no significant difference in the rate of non-AIDS-related deaths between 2 and 3.99 years and longer exposure to cART was observed. Conclusion: In conclusion, we found no evidence of an increased risk of both all-cause and non-AIDS-related deaths with long-term cumulative cART exposure. (C) 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Background: This study compared the incidence of fatal and nonfatal AIDS and non-AIDS events in HIV-positive individuals with a CD4 cell count more than 350cells/μl among viral load strata: low (

Contains fulltext : 109329.pdf (Publisher’s version ) (Open Access) BACKGROUND: Differences in access to care and treatment have been reported in Eastern Europe, a region with one of the fastest growing HIV epidemics, compared to the rest of Europe. This analysis aimed to establish whether there are regional differences in the mortality rate of HIV-positive individuals across Europe, and Argentina. METHODS: 13,310 individuals under follow-up were included in the analysis. Poisson regression investigated factors associated with the risk of death. FINDINGS: During 82,212 person years of follow-up (PYFU) 1,147 individuals died (mortality rate 14.0 per 1,000 PYFU (95% confidence interval [CI] 13.1-14.8). Significant differences between regions were seen in the rate of all-cause, AIDS and non-AIDS related mortality (global p