Coronavirus Research Tracking - 28 January
Coronavirus Research Tracking - 28 January
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This week, the effectiveness of three vaccine doses, the risk of myocarditis in young males after mRNA vaccines, indicators of risk for developing long Covid, the reduced risk of long Covid after vaccination, and how Omicron remains “fit” despite all its mutations. Also, a useful table comparing face mask effectiveness.
This week, the effectiveness of three vaccine doses, the risk of myocarditis in young males after mRNA vaccines, indicators of risk for developing long Covid, the reduced risk of long Covid after vaccination, and how Omicron remains “fit” despite all its mutations. Also, a useful table comparing face mask effectiveness.
Publication
What our experts say
Context and background
Resources
The Research Tracker is prepared by Dr Robert Hickson for the Science Media Centre NZ.
Vaccine-related papers
Three doses boost neutralisation activity against Omicron
One month after a third Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine dose neutralisation antibody activity against Omicron was significantly improved, compared with two doses. Neutralisation activity against Omicron declined over the next three months at a similar rate as seen for an earlier variant. The paper has not yet been peer reviewed.
Eric Topol’s summarised recent research about Omicron, including hospitalisation rates and vaccine effectiveness. Third doses of mRNA vaccines improve effectiveness against infection, but only up to about 50%.
His article includes a recent US CDC analysis and a large study in Qatar (not yet peer reviewed)
Vaccines generate strong T cell responses against most variants
Four vaccines stimulate the production of T cells that are effective against a range of variants, including Omicron. The vaccines examined were Moderna, Pfizer/BioNTech, Johnson & Johnson/Janssen, and Novavax, The study also confirmed earlier reports of the very reduced memory B cell and neutralising antibody responses to some of the variants.
The study tested T cell responses in vitro not in vivo, so there could be some reduction in T cell effectiveness. The paper was published in Cell.
Risk of myocarditis from mRNA vaccines
A US study found that the risk of myocarditis increased after mRNA vaccinations, although it is still rare. The greatest risk was seen after the second dose and in adolescent males and young men.
Most of those with vaccine-associated myocarditis recovered much more quickly than patients who developed myocarditis from a viral source (where 6% of adolescent cases in the US may require a heart transplant, or die).
The data come from the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System and there can be biases in reporting. The paper was published in JAMA.
Vaccination reduces the risk of long Covid
A news article in Nature discusses the lower risk of long Covid seen in vaccinated people in Israel. Double vaccinated (with Pfizer/BioNTech) people had about one third to half the risk of developing specific long Covid symptoms when compared with unvaccinated infected people. The results of the study are not yet peer reviewed.
Non-vaccine-related papers
Indicators of risk of developing long Covid
Four conditions that can signal a greater risk of developing long Covid were identified. These are pre-existing type 2 diabetes, SARS-CoV-2 RNAemia (where viral RNA is detected in plasma or serum), Epstein-Barr Virus infection, and autoantibodies.
The study looked at a diverse range of cellular and metabolic factors in 309 people with a spectrum of Covid-19 symptoms (including 100 with long Covid), and 457 healthy people. Symptoms were assessed two to three months after infection, so longer lasting impacts were not determined. The paper was published in Cell.
Very high levels of infection in the UK in January 2022
A UK study found that the PCR test positivity rate in January 2022 (4%) was 3-fold higher than in January 2021. For those over 75 the increase was nearly 12-fold.
While prevalence of infection fell during January 2022 for adults, it increased in children, which is probably due to schools opening again after the Christmas break. Viral loads were similar in those who had two and three vaccine doses. The paper has not yet been peer reviewed.
Co-evolving mutations in Omicron
An analysis of 13 of the mutations in the Omicron spike protein gene found that they may be co-evolving. These mutations are in three clusters, and appear to collectively reduce the decrease in fitness that the individual mutations have on the virus.
The authors highlight that complex mutational patterns are already occurring, but not easily detected, in SARS-CoV-2, and some of these could result in a variant with more severe effects. The paper has not yet been peer reviewed.
Face mask effectiveness
The US ACGIH has produced a table comparing the effectiveness of N95, surgical and cloth face masks. It compares effectiveness of the different types when two people are or aren’t wearing masks.
Don’t get complacent when Covid-19 is endemic
An opinion article in Nature warns against optimism and complacency when considering Covid-19 as endemic. It can still be widespread and cause serious harm. The article stresses that policy makers shouldn’t think that they do not need to do anything when SARS-CoV-2 is declared endemic.
The Research Tracker is prepared by Dr Robert Hickson for the Science Media Centre NZ.
Vaccine-related papers
Three doses boost neutralisation activity against Omicron
One month after a third Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine dose neutralisation antibody activity against Omicron was significantly improved, compared with two doses. Neutralisation activity against Omicron declined over the next three months at a similar rate as seen for an earlier variant. The paper has not yet been peer reviewed.
Eric Topol’s summarised recent research about Omicron, including hospitalisation rates and vaccine effectiveness. Third doses of mRNA vaccines improve effectiveness against infection, but only up to about 50%.
His article includes a recent US CDC analysis and a large study in Qatar (not yet peer reviewed)
Vaccines generate strong T cell responses against most variants
Four vaccines stimulate the production of T cells that are effective against a range of variants, including Omicron. The vaccines examined were Moderna, Pfizer/BioNTech, Johnson & Johnson/Janssen, and Novavax, The study also confirmed earlier reports of the very reduced memory B cell and neutralising antibody responses to some of the variants.
The study tested T cell responses in vitro not in vivo, so there could be some reduction in T cell effectiveness. The paper was published in Cell.
Risk of myocarditis from mRNA vaccines
A US study found that the risk of myocarditis increased after mRNA vaccinations, although it is still rare. The greatest risk was seen after the second dose and in adolescent males and young men.
Most of those with vaccine-associated myocarditis recovered much more quickly than patients who developed myocarditis from a viral source (where 6% of adolescent cases in the US may require a heart transplant, or die).
The data come from the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System and there can be biases in reporting. The paper was published in JAMA.
Vaccination reduces the risk of long Covid
A news article in Nature discusses the lower risk of long Covid seen in vaccinated people in Israel. Double vaccinated (with Pfizer/BioNTech) people had about one third to half the risk of developing specific long Covid symptoms when compared with unvaccinated infected people. The results of the study are not yet peer reviewed.
Non-vaccine-related papers
Indicators of risk of developing long Covid
Four conditions that can signal a greater risk of developing long Covid were identified. These are pre-existing type 2 diabetes, SARS-CoV-2 RNAemia (where viral RNA is detected in plasma or serum), Epstein-Barr Virus infection, and autoantibodies.
The study looked at a diverse range of cellular and metabolic factors in 309 people with a spectrum of Covid-19 symptoms (including 100 with long Covid), and 457 healthy people. Symptoms were assessed two to three months after infection, so longer lasting impacts were not determined. The paper was published in Cell.
Very high levels of infection in the UK in January 2022
A UK study found that the PCR test positivity rate in January 2022 (4%) was 3-fold higher than in January 2021. For those over 75 the increase was nearly 12-fold.
While prevalence of infection fell during January 2022 for adults, it increased in children, which is probably due to schools opening again after the Christmas break. Viral loads were similar in those who had two and three vaccine doses. The paper has not yet been peer reviewed.
Co-evolving mutations in Omicron
An analysis of 13 of the mutations in the Omicron spike protein gene found that they may be co-evolving. These mutations are in three clusters, and appear to collectively reduce the decrease in fitness that the individual mutations have on the virus.
The authors highlight that complex mutational patterns are already occurring, but not easily detected, in SARS-CoV-2, and some of these could result in a variant with more severe effects. The paper has not yet been peer reviewed.
Face mask effectiveness
The US ACGIH has produced a table comparing the effectiveness of N95, surgical and cloth face masks. It compares effectiveness of the different types when two people are or aren’t wearing masks.
Don’t get complacent when Covid-19 is endemic
An opinion article in Nature warns against optimism and complacency when considering Covid-19 as endemic. It can still be widespread and cause serious harm. The article stresses that policy makers shouldn’t think that they do not need to do anything when SARS-CoV-2 is declared endemic.
