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Risk factors for disease progression and severity of SARS-CoV-2 infections require an understanding of acute and long-term virological and immunological dynamics. Fifty-one RT-PCR positive COVID-19 outpatients were recruited between May and December 2020 in Munich, Germany, and followed up at multiple defined timepoints for up to one year. RT-PCR and viral culture were performed and seroresponses measured. Participants were classified applying the WHO clinical progression scale. Short symptom to test time (median 5.0 days; p = 0.0016) and high viral loads (VL; median maximum VL: 3∙108 copies/mL; p = 0.0015) were indicative for viral culture positivity. Participants with WHO grade 3 at baseline had significantly higher VLs compared to those with WHO 1 and 2 (p = 0.01). VLs dropped fast within 1 week of symptom onset. Maximum VLs were positively correlated with the magnitude of Ro-N-Ig seroresponse (p = 0.022). Our results describe the dynamics of VLs and antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 in mild to moderate cases that can support public health measures during the ongoing global pandemic.

A number of seroassays are available for SARS-CoV-2 testing; yet, head-to-head evaluations of different testing principles are limited, especially using raw values rather than categorical data. In addition, identifying correlates of protection is of utmost importance, and comparisons of available testing systems with functional assays, such as direct viral neutralisation, are needed.We analysed 6658 samples consisting of true-positives (n=193), true-negatives (n=1091), and specimens of unknown status (n=5374). For primary testing, we used Euroimmun-Anti-SARS-CoV-2-ELISA-IgA/IgG and Roche-Elecsys-Anti-SARS-CoV-2. Subsequently virus-neutralisation, GeneScriptcPass, VIRAMED-SARS-CoV-2-ViraChip, and Mikrogen-recomLine-SARS-CoV-2-IgG were applied for confirmatory testing. Statistical modelling generated optimised assay cut-off thresholds. Sensitivity of Euroimmun-anti-S1-IgA was 64.8%, specificity 93.3% (manufacturer’s cut-off); for Euroimmun-anti-S1-IgG, sensitivity was 77.2/79.8% (manufacturer’s/optimised cut-offs), specificity 98.0/97.8%; Roche-anti-N sensitivity was 85.5/88.6%, specificity 99.8/99.7%. In true-positives, mean and median Euroimmun-anti-S1-IgA and -IgG titres decreased 30/90 days after RT-PCR-positivity, Roche-anti-N titres decreased significantly later. Virus-neutralisation was 80.6% sensitive, 100.0% specific (≥1:5 dilution). Neutralisation surrogate tests (GeneScriptcPass, Mikrogen-recomLine-RBD) were >94.9% sensitive and >98.1% specific. Optimised cut-offs improved test performances of several tests. Confirmatory testing with virus-neutralisation might be complemented with GeneScriptcPassTM or recomLine-RBD for certain applications. Head-to-head comparisons given here aim to contribute to the refinement of testing strategies for individual and public health use.

IntroductionThe WHO End-TB Strategy calls for the development of novel diagnostics to detect tuberculosis (TB) earlier and more accurately. Better diagnostics, together with tools to predict disease progression, are critical for achieving WHO End-TB targets. The Early Risk Assessment in TB Contacts by new diagnoStic tEsts (ERASE-TB) study aims to evaluate novel diagnostics and testing algorithms for early TB diagnosis and accurate prediction of disease progression among household contacts (HHCs) exposed to confirmed index cases in Mozambique, Tanzania and Zimbabwe.Methods and analysisA total of 2100 HHCs (aged ≥10 years) of adults with microbiologically-confirmed pulmonary TB will be recruited and followed up at 6-month intervals for 18–24 months. At each time point, a WHO symptom screen and digital chest radiograph (dCXR) will be performed, and blood and urine samples will be collected. Individuals screening positive (WHO symptom screen or dCXR) will be requested to provide sputum for Xpert MTB/Rif Ultra. At baseline, HHCs will also be screened for HIV, diabetes (HbA1c), chronic lung disease (spirometry), hypertension and anaemia. Study outcomes will be coprevalent TB (diagnosed at enrolment), incident TB (diagnosed during follow-up) or no TB at completion of follow-up. Novel diagnostics will be validated using fresh and biobanked samples with a nested case–control design. Cases are defined as HHCs diagnosed with TB (for early diagnosis) or with incident TB (for prediction of progression) and will be matched by age, sex and country to HHCs who remain healthy (controls). Statistical analyses will include assessment of diagnostic accuracy by constructing receiver operating curves and calculation of sensitivity and specificity.Ethics and disseminationERASE-TB has been approved by regulatory and ethical committees in each African country and by each partner organisation. Consent, with additional assent for participants Trial registration numberNCT04781257.Cite Now

BackgroundIn the 2ndyear of the Covid-19 pandemic, knowledge about the dynamics of the infection in the general population is still limited. Such information is essential for health planners, as many of those infected show no or only mild symptoms and thus, escape the surveillance system. We therefore aimed to describe the course of the pandemic in the Munich general population living in private households from April 2020 to January 2021.MethodsThe KoCo19 baseline study took place from April to June 2020 including 5313 participants (age 14 years and above). From November 2020 to January 2021, we could again measure SARS-CoV-2 antibody status in 4,433 of the baseline participants (response 83%). Participants were offered a self-sampling kit to take a capillary blood sample (dry blood spot; DBS). Blood was analysed using the Elecsys®Anti-SARS-CoV-2 assay (Roche). Questionnaire information on socio-demographics and potential risk factors assessed at baseline was available for all participants. In addition, follow-up information on health-risk taking behaviour and number of personal contacts outside the household (N=2768) as well as leisure time activities (N=1263) were collected in summer 2020.ResultsWeighted and adjusted (for specificity and sensitivity) SARS-CoV-2 sero-prevalence at follow-up was 3.6% (95% CI 2.9-4.3%) as compared to 1.8% (95% CI 1.3-3.4%) at baseline. 91% of those tested positive at baseline were also antibody-positive at follow-up. While sero-prevalence increased from early November 2021 to January 2021, no indication of geospatial clustering across the city of Munich was found, although cases clustered within households. Taking baseline result and time to follow-up into account, men and participants in the age group 20-34 years were at the highest risk of sero-positivity. In the sensitivity analyses, differences in health-risk taking behaviour, number of personal contacts and leisure time activities partly explained these differences.ConclusionThe number of citizens in Munich with SARS-CoV-2 antibodies was still below 5% during the 2ndwave of the pandemic. Antibodies remained present in the majority of baseline participants. Besides age and sex, potentially confounded by differences in behaviour, no major risk factors could be identified. Non-pharmaceutical public health measures are thus still important.

Given the large number of mild or asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 cases, only population-based studies can provide reliable estimates of the magnitude of the pandemic. We therefore aimed to assess the sero-prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in the Munich general population after the first wave of the pandemic. For this purpose, we drew a representative sample of 2994 private households and invited household members 14 years and older to complete questionnaires and to provide blood samples. SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity was defined as Roche N pan-Ig ≥ 0.4218. We adjusted the prevalence for the sampling design, sensitivity, and specificity. We investigated risk factors for SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity and geospatial transmission patterns by generalized linear mixed models and permutation tests. Seropositivity for SARS-CoV-2-specific antibodies was 1.82% (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.28–2.37%) as compared to 0.46% PCR-positive cases officially registered in Munich. Loss of the sense of smell or taste was associated with seropositivity (odds ratio (OR) 47.4, 95% CI 7.2–307.0) and infections clustered within households. By this first population-based study on SARS-CoV-2 prevalence in a large German municipality not affected by a superspreading event, we could show that at least one in four cases in private households was reported and known to the health authorities. These results will help authorities to estimate the true burden of disease in the population and to take evidence-based decisions on public health measures.

Background: Population-based studies investigating the dynamics of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic are needed. Here, we report on baseline findings from April through June 2020 of a prospective cohort study in Munich, Germany. Methods: We drew a representative sample of 2994 private households. The 5313 participating household members 14 years and older completed questionnaires and provided blood samples. SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity was defined as Roche N pan-Ig ≥ 0·4218. We adjusted the prevalence for the sampling design, sensitivity, and specificity. We investigated risk factors for SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity and geospatial transmission patterns by generalized linear mixed models and permutation tests. Findings: Seropositivity for SARS-CoV-2 specific antibodies was 1·82% (95% confidence interval (CI) 1·28-2·37%) as compared to 0·46% PCR-positive cases officially registered in Munich. Loss of the sense of smell or taste was associated with seropositivity (odds ratio (OR) 47·4; 95% CI 7·2-307·0) and infections clustered within households. Participants suffering from respiratory allergies (OR 2·7; 95% CI 0·9-8·6) and working in high-risk jobs (OR 2·0; 95% CI 0·5-6·7) showed non-significantly increased odds for SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity. Interpretation: Applying a validated assay, we demonstrate a low SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence in the Munich population 14 years and older towards the end of the first pandemic wave. However, we noted official sub-registration at this early stage of the pandemic. Funding: Bavarian State Ministry of Science and the Arts, University Hospital of LMU Munich, Helmholtz Centre Munich, University of Bonn, and University of Bielefeld. Declaration of Interests: FF, TF, DM, LO, and VT report grants from the Bavarian State Ministry of Science and the Arts during the conduct oft he study. TF reports grants from the University Hospital of LMU Munich, Helmholtz Center Munich, University of Bonn, University of Bielefeld, and German Ministry for Education and Research during the conduct of the study. JH reports grants from the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research during the conduct of the study. MH and AW report personal fees and non-financial support, LO and MP report non-financial support from Roche Diagnostics. MH, LO, MP, and AW report non-financial support from Euroimmun, Viramed, and Mikrogen. MH, MP, and AW report grants, non-financial support, and other from German Center for Infection Research (DZIF). FF, MH, LO, MP, VT, and AW report grants and non-financial support from the Government of Bavaria. MH, LO, MP, and AW report non-financial support from BMW, Mercedes Benz, Munich Police, and Accenture. MH and AW report personal fees and non-financial support from Dr. Box Betrobox during the conduct of the study. LO and MP report non-financial support from Dr. Box Betrobox. MH and AW have a patent Sample System for Sputum Diagnostics of SARS-CoV-2 pending. DM reports to be a a sub-investigator on a Phase I SARS-CoV-2 vaccine trial and on a Phase I rabies vaccine trial, both sponsored by CureVac AG. MP and AW report non-financial support from Dr. Becker MVZ. VT reports support from CureVac AG outside the submitted work. AW reports personal fees and other from Haeraeus Sensors. AW reports non-financial support from Bruker Daltronics outside the submitted work. AW is involved in other different patents and companies not in relation with the serology of SARS-CoV-2. All other authors report nothing to disclose. Ethics Approval Statement: Prior to study initiation, this study had been approved by the respective Institutional Review Board.

BackgroundSerosurveys are essential to understand SARS-CoV-2 exposure and enable population-level surveillance, but currently available tests need further in-depth evaluation. We aimed to identify testing-strategies by comparing seven seroassays in a population-based cohort.MethodsWe analysed 6,658 samples consisting of true-positives (n=193), true-negatives (n=1,091), and specimens of unknown status (n=5,374). For primary testing, we used Euroimmun-Anti-SARS-CoV-2-ELISA-IgA/IgG and Roche-Elecsys-Anti-SARS-CoV-2; and virus-neutralisation, GeneScript®cPass™, VIRAMED-SARS-CoV-2-ViraChip®, and Mikrogen-recomLine-SARS-CoV-2-IgG, including common-cold CoVs, for confirmatory testing. Statistical modelling generated optimised assay cut-off-thresholds.FindingsSensitivity of Euroimmun-anti-S1-IgA was 64.8%, specificity 93.3%; for Euroimmun-anti-S1-IgG, sensitivity was 77.2/79.8% (manufacturer’s/optimised cut-offs), specificity 98.0/97.8%; Roche-anti-N sensitivity was 85.5/88.6%, specificity 99.8/99.7%. In true-positives, mean and median titres remained stable for at least 90-120 days after RT-PCR-positivity. Of true-positives with positive RT-PCR (recomLine-RBD) were >94.9% sensitive, >98.1% specific. Seasonality had limited effects; cross-reactivity with common-cold CoVs 229E and NL63 in SARS-CoV-2 true-positives was significant.ConclusionOptimised cut-offs improved test performances of several tests. Non-reactive serology in true-positives was uncommon. For epidemiological purposes, confirmatory testing with virus-neutralisation may be replaced with GeneScript®cPass™ or recomLine-RBD. Head-to-head comparisons given here aim to contribute to the refinement of testing-strategies for individual and public health use.

The WHO developed a generic ‘TB patient cost survey’ tool and a standardized approach to assess the direct and indirect costs of TB incurred by patients and their households, estimate the proportion of patients experiencing catastrophic costs, and measure the impact of interventions to reduce patient costs. While the generic tool is a facility-based cross-sectional survey, this standardized approach needs to be adapted for longitudinal studies. A longitudinal approach may overcome some of the limitations of a cross-sectional design and estimate the economic burden of TB more precisely. We describe the process of creating a longitudinal instrument and its application to the TB Sequel study, an ongoing multi-country, multi-center observational cohort study. We adapted the cross-sectional WHO generic TB patient cost survey instrument for the longitudinal study design of TB Sequel and the local context in each study country (South Africa, Mozambique, Tanzania, and The Gambia). The generic instrument was adapted for use at enrollment (start of TB treatment; Day 0) and at 2, 6, 12 and 24 months after enrollment, time points intended to capture costs incurred for diagnosis, during treatment, at the end of treatment, and during long-term follow-up once treatment has been completed. These time points make the adapted version suitable for use in patients with either drug-sensitive or drug-resistant TB. Using the adapted tool provides the opportunity to repeat measures and make comparisons over time, describe changes that extend beyond treatment completion, and link cost survey data to treatment outcomes and post-TB sequelae. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT032516 August 1196, 2017. Abbreviations: DOTS: Directly observed treatment, short-course; DR-TB: Drug-resistant tuberculosis; MDR-TB: Multi-drug resistant tuberculosis; NTP: National Tuberculosis Programme; TB: Tuberculosis; USD: United States Dollar; WHO: World Health Organization.

Background Pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) is frequently associated with chronic respiratory impairment despite microbiological cure. There are only a few clinical research studies that describe the course, type and severity as well as associated risk factors for lung impairment (LI) in TB patients. Methods A prospective cohort study was conducted at TB Research Clinic of Instituto Nacional de Saúde in Mavalane, Maputo, from June 2014 to June 2016. PTB patients were prospectively enrolled and followed for 52 weeks after TB diagnosis. Lung function was evaluated by spirometry at 8, 26 and 52 weeks after TB treatment initiation, and spirometric values of below the lower limit of normality were considered as LI. Descriptive statistical analysis was performed to summarize the proportion of patients with different lung outcomes at week 52, including type and severity of LI. Risk factors were analysed using multinomial regression analysis. Results A total of 69 PTB patients were enrolled, of which 62 had a valid spirometry result at week 52 after TB treatment start. At week 8, 26 and 52, the proportion of patients with LI was 78, 68.9 and 64.5%, respectively, and 35.5% had moderate or severe LI at week 52. The majority of patients with LI suffered from pulmonary restriction. Female sex, low haemoglobin and heavy smoking were significantly associated with LI. Conclusion Moderate or severe LI can be observed in a third of cured TB patients. Further research is urgently needed to gain deeper insight into the characteristics of post TB LI, the causal pathways and potential treatment strategies.

Das osterreichische Familienunternehmen RIESS KELOMAT GmbH handelt seit Generationen mit okologischem Weitblick, nachhaltigem Denken und sozialer Verantwortung. Die Geschaftsfuhrung hat sich in ihrem Glauben an eine erfolgreiche Kombination von Industrie und Wirtschaftsethik weder von Beratern, Manager-Kollegen noch dem Wettbewerb beeinflussen lassen und ist damit erfolgreich. Als wesentliches Motiv fur eine Zertifizierung nach der ONR 192500 nennt Ing. Riess, CTO der RIESS KELOMAT GmbH, sein personliches Interesse an der zukunftigen Entwicklung des Themenbereichs und die Moglichkeit, sich gegenuber dem Mitbewerb abzugrenzen. In der gesellschaftlichen Wahrnehmung und auch in politischen Belangen sieht er noch Handlungsbedarf.

Das ubergeordnete Thema des CIP-Forums 2 lautete CIP-PC-Pools in den Naturwissenschaften. Fur sechs der neun Referate standen 120 Minuten zur Verfugung.

Als im Fruhjahr 1985 in der Sektion Physik der Ludwig-Maximilians-Universitat entschieden wurde, einen Antrag auf ein Pilotprojekt im Rahmen des Computer-Investitionsprogramms (CIP) zu stellen, begann, wie bei anderen Einrichtungen, die Qual der Wahl. Die Entscheidung wurde von einer “Rechnerkommission” getroffen, in der mehrheitlich die Meinung bestand, das man von einem Absolventen des Physikstudiums die Kenntnis von zumindest einer Programmiersprache verlangen kann und das das Tatigkeitsprofil eines Physikers sowohl die Arbeit mit Kleinrechnern als auch die mit Grosrechnern einschliest. Bei der Auswahl des Systems wurden deshalb zunachst grundsatzliche Vorentscheidungen getroffen: 1. In bezug auf die Hardware sollte der vom CIP vorgegebene Preisrahmen voll ausgeschopft werden. Im Hinblick auf die rasante Entwicklung im Bereich der EDV sollten soweit wie nur moglich die neuesten Technologien ausgenutzt werden. Zur Zeit unserer Entscheidungsfindung haben wir deshalb nur 16 Bit Rechner (IBM-AT mit Intel 80286 und PCS CADMUS 9600 mit Motorola MC68010) diskutiert. Heute sollten — auch fur einfache Anwendungen — nur 32 Bit Rechner erwogen werden. 2. Alle Arbeitsplatze sollten grafikfahig sein, wobei eine Bildschirmauflosung von mindestens 640 x 480 Punkten gefordert wurde. 3. Es wurden die folgenden Betriebssysteme miteinander verglichen: MS-DOS: Dieses Betriebssystem besas (und besitzt auch heute noch) eine sehr grose Verbreitung. Es ist in seiner Leistungsfahigkeit stark begrenzt und erscheint wohl deshalb als sehr benutzerfreundlich. Seine Hauptattraktivitat beruht auf einem grosen und preisgunstigen Angebot verschiedenartigster Softwarepakete. MS-DOS ist auf PCs mit Prozessoren von Intel beschrankt. Hilfe uber die Benutzung der Befehle am Rechner selbst (‘Online Hilfe’) ist nicht moglich. UNIX lauft sowohl auf Minirechnern als auch auf Gro?rechnern. Seine Verbreitung war auf Forschungs-und Informatikinstitute beschrankt, sein Einzug in den kaufmannischen und industriellen Bereich ist jedoch nicht ubersehbar. Es ist ein machtiges Betriebssystem mit vielen Dienstleistungsprogrammen, das von Fachleuten fur Fachleute geschaffen wurde. Es steht deshalb im Ruf, schwierig zu bedienen zu sein. Die Angebote von speziellen Softwarepaketen waren (und sind auch heute noch) beschrankt und relativ teuer. UNIX ist nicht auf eine bestimmte Prozessorklasse beschrankt, jedoch gibt es Mindestanforderungen an die Prozessorleistungen. Diese werden von allen modernen 32Bit-Prozessoren erfullt. ‘Online’ Hilfe uber Befehle ist moglich, das am Rechner verfugbare ‘Handbuch’ ist aber nicht unbedingt sehr ubersichtlich und leicht zu lesen. VMS ist ein Produkt der Firma Digital Equipment und lauft auf deren VAX-Rechnern. Es kann hinsichtlich Benutzerfreundlichkeit als Standard genommen werden: Die Syntax der Befehle ist sehr einpragsam, und die ‘Online’ Hilfe ist ubersichtlich und verstandlich. Befehle konnen abgekurzt werden, solange diese Abkurzung eindeutig ist. Dieses Betriebssystem war allerdings zum damaligen Zeitpunkt nicht Bestandteil der engeren Auswahl, da die VAX-Rechner fur CIP zu teuer waren; es diente nur als Orientierungshilfe. 4. Die Kooperation mit anderen CIP-Pools und/oder mit Rechnergruppen, die innerhalb des eigenen Forschungsbereichs arbeiten, ist zu berucksichtigen.