3 research outputs found
Broad spectrum SARSâCoV â2âspecific immunity in hospitalized First Nations peoples recovering from COVID â19
Indigenous peoples globally are at increased risk of COVIDâ19âassociated morbidity and mortality. However, data that describe immune responses to SARSâCoVâ2 infection in Indigenous populations are lacking. We evaluated immune responses in Australian First Nations peoples hospitalized with COVIDâ19. Our work comprehensively mapped out inflammatory, humoral and adaptive immune responses following SARSâCoVâ2 infection. Patients were recruited early following the lifting of strict public health measures in the Northern Territory, Australia, between November 2021 and May 2022. Australian First Nations peoples recovering from COVIDâ19 showed increased levels of MCPâ1 and ILâ8 cytokines, IgGâantibodies against DeltaâRBD and memory SARSâCoVâ2âspecific T cell responses prior to hospital discharge in comparison with hospital admission, with resolution of hyperactivated HLAâDR+CD38+ T cells. SARSâCoVâ2 infection elicited coordinated ASC, Tfh and CD8+ T cell responses in concert with CD4+ T cell responses. Delta and Omicron RBDâIgG, as well as Ancestral NâIgG antibodies, strongly correlated with Ancestral RBDâIgG antibodies and Spikeâspecific memory B cells. We provide evidence of broad and robust immune responses following SARSâCoVâ2 infection in Indigenous peoples, resembling those of nonâIndigenous COVIDâ19 hospitalized patients
Robust and prototypical immune responses toward COVID-19 vaccine in First Nations peoples are impacted by comorbidities
High-risk groups, including Indigenous people, are at risk of severe COVID-19. Here we found that Australian First Nations peoples elicit effective immune responses to COVID-19 BNT162b2 vaccination, including neutralizing antibodies, receptor-binding domain (RBD) antibodies, SARS-CoV-2 spike-specific B cells, and CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. In First Nations participants, RBD IgG antibody titers were correlated with body mass index and negatively correlated with age. Reduced RBD antibodies, spike-specific B cells and follicular helper T cells were found in vaccinated participants with chronic conditions (diabetes, renal disease) and were strongly associated with altered glycosylation of IgG and increased interleukin-18 levels in the plasma. These immune perturbations were also found in non-Indigenous people with comorbidities, indicating that they were related to comorbidities rather than ethnicity. However, our study is of a great importance to First Nations peoples who have disproportionate rates of chronic comorbidities and provides evidence of robust immune responses after COVID-19 vaccination in Indigenous people
Gastrointestinal Carriage of Antimicrobial Resistance in School-Aged Children in Three Municipalities of Timor-Leste
Invasive bacterial infections are a leading cause of death in children, primarily in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). Links between carriage of antimicrobial-resistant organisms and more resistant infections have been established; however, little has been reported regarding community carriage of antibiotic-resistant organisms such as extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Enterobacterales in LMIC. The aim of this study was to determine colonic carriage of ESBL-producing fluoroquinolone- and aminoglycoside-resistant Enterobacterales in healthy children in three municipalities of Timor-Leste. In November 2020, 621 stool samples were collected from school-aged children and underwent screening for the presence of Enterobacterales species and antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Ciprofloxacin-resistant Gram-negative organisms were cultured from 16.5% (95% CI 6.2â26.9), and gentamicin resistance was identified in 6.8% (95% CI 2.8â10.7). Compared to the prevalence of ciprofloxacin resistance in Dili (36.1%), there was significantly lower prevalence in the rural municipalities of Ermera (12.9%; AOR 0.38, 95% CI 0.24â0.60, p p = 0.009). The overall cluster-adjusted prevalence of ESBL-producing bacteria was 8.3%, with no significant differences between municipalities. This study demonstrates high rates of carriage of AMR among school-aged children in Timor-Leste, with higher rates observed in Dili compared to rural municipalities. Empiric antibiotic guidelines should include recommendations for treating community-acquired infections that account for the possibility of antimicrobial resistance