Bilateral cochlear ossification in a patient with Takayasu arteritis

Takayasu arteritis (TAK) is a rare type of noninfectious, systemic vasculitis of unknown etiology. A 45-year-old female diagnosed with TAK complained of acute onset bilateral deafness. Auditory tests revealed complete deafness in both ears. Magnetic resonance imaging with fluid-attenuation inversion recovery of her temporal bone demonstrated high signal intensity in the whole cochlea and vestibule in both ears. Computed tomography carried out 10 months after the onset of bilateral deafness revealed prominent ossification localized in the area around the modiolus in both cochleae. The patient underwent cochlear implantation in both ears. The cochlear lumens were narrowed and filled with scar tissue, which hindered the insertion of an electrode in both ears. In TAK, cases associated with bilateral severe to profound SNHL where corticosteroid therapy is ineffective in improving hearing, cochlear implantation should be considered within a reasonable period to avoid the difficulty of electrode insertion associated with cochlear ossification

Antibody Profiling of Microbial Antigens in the Blood of COVID-19 mRNA Vaccine Recipients Using Microbial Protein Microarrays

Although studies have demonstrated that infections with various viruses, bacteria, and parasites can modulate the immune system, no study has investigated changes in antibodies against microbial antigens after the COVID-19 mRNA vaccination. IgG antibodies against microbial antigens in the blood of vaccinees were comprehensively analyzed using microbial protein microarrays that carried approximately 5000 microbe-derived proteins. Changes in antibodies against microbial antigens were scrutinized in healthy participants enrolled in the Fukushima Vaccination Community Survey conducted in Fukushima Prefecture, Japan, after their second and third COVID-19 mRNA vaccinations. Antibody profiling of six groups stratified by antibody titer and the remaining neutralizing antibodies was also performed to study the dynamics of neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 and the changes in antibodies against microbial antigens. The results showed that changes in antibodies against microbial antigens other than SARS-CoV-2 antigens were extremely limited after COVID-19 vaccination. In addition, antibodies against a staphylococcal complement inhibitor have been identified as microbial antigens that are associated with increased levels of neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2. These antibodies may be a predictor of the maintenance of neutralizing antibodies following the administration of a COVID-19 mRNA vaccine

Factors Associated with COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Hesitancy: A Retrospective Cohort Study, Fukushima Vaccination Community Survey

This was a retrospective cohort study, which aimed to investigate the factors associated with hesitancy to receive a third dose of a coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine. A paper-based questionnaire survey was administered to all participants. This study included participants who provided answers in the questionnaire about whether they had an intent to receive a third dose of a vaccine. Data on sex, age, area of residence, adverse reactions after the second vaccination, whether the third vaccination was desired, and reasons to accept or hesitate over the booster vaccination were retrieved. Among the 2439 participants, with a mean (±SD) age of 52.6 ± 18.9 years, and a median IgG-S antibody titer of 324.9 (AU/mL), 97.9% of participants indicated their intent to accept a third vaccination dose. The logistic regression revealed that participants of a younger age (OR = 0.98; 95% CI: 0.96–1.00) and with a higher antibody level (OR = 2.52; 95% CI: 1.27–4.99) were positively associated with hesitancy over the third vaccine. The efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccine and concerns about adverse reactions had a significant impact on behavior regarding the third vaccination. A rapid increase in the booster dose rate is needed to control the pandemic, and specific approaches should be taken with these groups that are likely to hesitate over the third vaccine, subsequently increasing booster contact rate

Factors Associated with COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Hesitancy: A Retrospective Cohort Study, Fukushima Vaccination Community Survey

This was a retrospective cohort study, which aimed to investigate the factors associated with hesitancy to receive a third dose of a coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine. A paper-based questionnaire survey was administered to all participants. This study included participants who provided answers in the questionnaire about whether they had an intent to receive a third dose of a vaccine. Data on sex, age, area of residence, adverse reactions after the second vaccination, whether the third vaccination was desired, and reasons to accept or hesitate over the booster vaccination were retrieved. Among the 2439 participants, with a mean (±SD) age of 52.6 ± 18.9 years, and a median IgG-S antibody titer of 324.9 (AU/mL), 97.9% of participants indicated their intent to accept a third vaccination dose. The logistic regression revealed that participants of a younger age (OR = 0.98; 95% CI: 0.96–1.00) and with a higher antibody level (OR = 2.52; 95% CI: 1.27–4.99) were positively associated with hesitancy over the third vaccine. The efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccine and concerns about adverse reactions had a significant impact on behavior regarding the third vaccination. A rapid increase in the booster dose rate is needed to control the pandemic, and specific approaches should be taken with these groups that are likely to hesitate over the third vaccine, subsequently increasing booster contact rate

Antibody and T-Cell Responses against SARS-CoV-2 after Booster Vaccination in Patients on Dialysis: A Prospective Observational Study

Intensive vaccination is recommended for populations more vulnerable to COVID-19 infection, although data regarding the built of immunity after vaccination for dialysis patients are lacking. This prospective, observational cohort study of maintenance hemodialysis patients examined IgG antibody levels against the SARS-CoV-2 spike (S1) protein, neutralizing activity, and interferon gamma levels after the third dose of the BNT162b2 (Pfizer–BioNTech) or mRNA-1273 (Moderna) vaccine. Humoral immunity was repeatedly measured for up to two months. The study includes 58 patients on hemodialysis. Median neutralizing antibodies reached a maximum at 56 and 9 days after booster vaccination with BNT162b2 and mRNA-1273, respectively. The median IgG antibody titer reached a maximum of 3104.38 and 7209.13 AU/mL after 16 days of booster dose, and cellular immunity was positive in 61.9% and 100% of patients with BNT162b2 and mRNA-1273 vaccination, respectively. By repeating the measurements over a period of two months, we clarified the chronological aspects of the acquisition of humoral immunity in dialysis patients after a booster COVID-19 vaccination; most dialysis patients acquired not only humoral immunity, but also cellular immunity against SARS-CoV-2. Future research should investigate the continued long-term dynamics of antibody titers and cellular immunity after the third or further vaccinations, evaluating the need for additional vaccinations for hemodialysis patients