More Like this

1. Antibody protection from SARS-CoV-2 respiratory tract exposure and infection

   https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtbi.2022.111334  

   Chen, Alex; Wessler, Timothy; Gregory Forest, M. (January 2023, Journal of Theoretical Biology)
2. The Ethics of Human Challenge Trials Using Emerging Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome 2 Variants

   https://doi.org/10.1093/infdis/jiab488  

   Rohrig, Abie; Eyal, Nir (October 2021, The Journal of Infectious Diseases)

   Abstract The world’s first coronavirus disease 2019 human challenge trial using the D614G strain of severe acute respiratory syndrome 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is underway in the United Kingdom. The Wellcome Trust is funding challenge stock preparation of the Beta and Delta variant for a follow-up human challenge trial, and researchers at hVIVO are considering conducting these trials. However, little has been written thus far about the ethical justifiability of human challenge trials with SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern. We explore 2 specific characteristics of some variants that may initially be thought to make such trials unethical and conclude that SARS-CoV-2 variant challenge trials can remain ethical. 

   more » « less
3. Biomimetic Virus-Like Particles as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Diagnostic Tools

   https://doi.org/10.1021/acsnano.0c08430  

   Chan, Soo Khim; Du, Pinyi; Ignacio, Caroline; Mehta, Sanjay; Newton, Isabel G.; Steinmetz, Nicole F. (January 2021, ACS Nano)

   null (Ed.)
4. Airborne transmission of respiratory viruses

   https://doi.org/10.1126/science.abd9149  

   Wang, Chia C.; Prather, Kimberly A.; Sznitman, Josué; Jimenez, Jose L.; Lakdawala, Seema S.; Tufekci, Zeynep; Marr, Linsey C. (August 2021, Science)

   The COVID-19 pandemic has revealed critical knowledge gaps in our understanding of and a need to update the traditional view of transmission pathways for respiratory viruses. The long-standing definitions of droplet and airborne transmission do not account for the mechanisms by which virus-laden respiratory droplets and aerosols travel through the air and lead to infection. In this Review, we discuss current evidence regarding the transmission of respiratory viruses by aerosols—how they are generated, transported, and deposited, as well as the factors affecting the relative contributions of droplet-spray deposition versus aerosol inhalation as modes of transmission. Improved understanding of aerosol transmission brought about by studies of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection requires a reevaluation of the major transmission pathways for other respiratory viruses, which will allow better-informed controls to reduce airborne transmission. 

   more » « less
5. Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Delta Vaccine Breakthrough Transmissibility in Alachua County, Florida

   https://doi.org/10.1093/cid/ciac197  

   Rife Magalis, Brittany; Rich, Shannan; Tagliamonte, Massimiliano S.; Mavian, Carla; Cash, Melanie N.; Riva, Alberto; Marini, Simone; Amador, David Moraga; Zhang, Yanping; Shapiro, Jerne; et al (March 2022, Clinical Infectious Diseases)

   Abstract BackgroundSevere acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Delta variant has caused a dramatic resurgence in infections in the United Sates, raising questions regarding potential transmissibility among vaccinated individuals. MethodsBetween October 2020 and July 2021, we sequenced 4439 SARS-CoV-2 full genomes, 23% of all known infections in Alachua County, Florida, including 109 vaccine breakthrough cases. Univariate and multivariate regression analyses were conducted to evaluate associations between viral RNA burden and patient characteristics. Contact tracing and phylogenetic analysis were used to investigate direct transmissions involving vaccinated individuals. ResultsThe majority of breakthrough sequences with lineage assignment were classified as Delta variants (74.6%) and occurred, on average, about 3 months (104 ± 57.5 days) after full vaccination, at the same time (June-July 2021) of Delta variant exponential spread within the county. Six Delta variant transmission pairs between fully vaccinated individuals were identified through contact tracing, 3 of which were confirmed by phylogenetic analysis. Delta breakthroughs exhibited broad viral RNA copy number values during acute infection (interquartile range, 1.2-8.64 Log copies/mL), on average 38% lower than matched unvaccinated patients (3.29-10.81 Log copies/mL, P < .00001). Nevertheless, 49% to 50% of all breakthroughs, and 56% to 60% of Delta-infected breakthroughs exhibited viral RNA levels above the transmissibility threshold (4 Log copies/mL) irrespective of time after vaccination. ConclusionsDelta infection transmissibility and general viral RNA quantification patterns in vaccinated individuals suggest limited levels of sterilizing immunity that need to be considered by public health policies. In particular, ongoing evaluation of vaccine boosters should specifically address whether extra vaccine doses curb breakthrough contribution to epidemic spread. 

   more » « less