COVID-19-Impfung senkt das Risiko für Infektion, schwere Krankheitsverläufe und Tod

Im Mai 2021 kam es in einem Alten- und Pflegeheim in der Oberpfalz zu einem SARS-CoV-2-Aus-bruch mit einer hohen Anzahl von Impfdurchbrüchen, woraufhin serologische Untersuchungen und epidemiologische Daten der Bewohnerinnen und Bewohner und dem Pflegepersonal ausgewertet wurden. Ziel dieser Untersuchung war es, das Risiko von Hospitalisierung und Tod bei Geimpften im Vergleich zu Ungeimpften darzustellen.Peer Reviewe

Alterations of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF-A) serum levels of alcohol dependent patients during alcohol withdrawal

VEGF-A Serumspiegel der alkoholabhängigen Patienten waren signifikant erhöht im Vergleich zur gesunden Kontrollgruppe am Tag 1 des Alkoholentzugs und stiegen weiter signifikant an von Tag 1 bis Tag 14. Die VEGF-A Serumspiegel waren signifikant korreliert mit dem Grad der Alkoholintoxikation bei Aufnahme. Eine weitere signifikante Assoziation zeigte sich zwischen dem VEGF-A Serumspiegel am Tag 14 und der Schwere der Alkoholabhängigkeit gemessem mit Hilfe der SESA-Skala.Die Ergebnisse weisen darauf hin, dass der VEGF-A Serumspiegel beeinflusst wird durch eine Alkoholabhängigkeit und durch einen Alkoholentzug.VEGF-A serum levels of alcohol dependent patients were significantly increased compared to a healthy control group on day 1 of alcohol withdrawal and increased further significantly from day 1 to day 14. VEGF-A serum levels on day 14 were signifcantly correlated to the grade of alcohol intoxikation on day 1. Further a significant association was found between the VEGF-A serum levels on day 14 and the severity of alcohol dependence measured by the SESA-scale. The results show that VEGF-A serum levels are affected by alcohol dependence and alcohol withdrawal

Epidemiological and Serological Analysis of a SARS-CoV-2 Outbreak in a Nursing Home: Impact of SARS-CoV-2 Vaccination and Enhanced Neutralizing Immunity Following Breakthrough Infection

Background: Despite a vaccination rate of 82.0% (n = 123/150), a SARS-CoV-2 (Alpha) outbreak with 64.7% (n = 97/150) confirmed infections occurred in a nursing home in Bavaria, Germany. Objective: the aim of this retrospective cohort study was to examine the effects of the Corminaty vaccine in a real-life outbreak situation and to obtain insights into the antibody response to both vaccination and breakthrough infection. Methods: the antibody status of 106 fully vaccinated individuals (54/106 breakthrough infections) and epidemiological data on all 150 residents and facility staff were evaluated. Results: SARS-CoV-2 infections (positive RT-qPCR) were detected in 56.9% (n = 70/123) of fully vaccinated, compared to 100% (n = 27/27) of incompletely or non-vaccinated individuals. The proportion of hospitalized and deceased was 4.1% (n = 5/123) among fully vaccinated and therewith lower compared to 18.5% (n = 5/27) hospitalized and 11.1% (n = 3/27) deceased among incompletely or non-vaccinated. Ct values were significantly lower in incompletely or non-vaccinated (p = 0.02). Neutralizing antibodies were detected in 99.1% (n = 105/106) of serum samples with significantly higher values (p < 0.001) being measured post-breakthrough infection. α-N-antibodies were detected in 37.7% of PCR positive but not in PCR negative individuals. Conclusion: Altogether, our data indicate that SARS-CoV-2 vaccination does provide protection against infection, severe disease progression and death with regards to the Alpha variant. Nonetheless, it also shows that infection and transmission are possible despite full vaccination. It further indicates that breakthrough infections can significantly enhance α-S- and neutralizing antibody responses, indicating a possible benefit from booster vaccinations