Dödligt virus från Kina orsakar panik (SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19)

First Omicron neutralization data from our lab using primary Omicron isolate from Tyrol with @AnnikaRoessler @LydiaRiepler @doctorflew and Dorothee von Laer @imed_tweets

SARS-CoV-2 infection causes diverse outcomes ranging from asymptomatic infection to respiratory distress and death. A major unresolved question is whether prior immunity to endemic, human common cold coronaviruses (hCCCoV) impacts susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection or immunity following infection and vaccination. Therefore, we analyzed samples from the same individuals before and after SARS-CoV-2 infection or vaccination. We found hCCCoV antibody levels increase after SARS-CoV-2 exposure, demonstrating cross-reactivity. However, a case-control study indicates baseline hCCCoV antibody levels are not associated with protection against SARS-CoV-2 infection. Rather, higher magnitudes of pre-existing betacoronavirus antibodies correlate with more SARS-CoV-2 antibodies following infection, an indicator of greater disease severity. Additionally, immunization with hCCCoV spike proteins before SARS-CoV-2 immunization impedes generation of SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies in mice. Together, these data suggest pre-existing hCCCoV antibodies hinder SARS-CoV-2 antibody-based immunity following infection and provide insight on how pre-existing coronavirus immunity impacts SARS-CoV-2 infection, which is critical considering emerging variants.

/.../Accordingly, higher levels of betacoronavirus IgG and IgA antibodies
471 imply a more narrow and less adaptable antibody repertoire, which would be
472 advantageous for immunity to the hCCCoV, but detrimental to the immune response to
473 a novel coronavirus. Thus, although younger individuals may be exposed to hCCCoV
474 more often than older individuals, the hCCCoV IgM bias in younger participants is
475 consistent with a more adaptable repertoire, which may explain why younger individuals
476 exhibit less disease severity than older individuals.

/.../Alternatively, it is also possible that there is no correlation
486 between baseline hCCCoV antibody levels and antibody levels following vaccination
487 because the mRNA vaccines induce such a robust immune response to the SARS-CoV-2
488 spike protein that the efficacy of these vaccines may override the effect of imprinting.

COVID Update: 2 weeks ago we said we would know a lot more about Omicron in 2 weeks.

I’ve rounded up the best scientific opinions to share a consensus. 1/

The bottom line-up front: We should expect a significant wave of COVID this weekend: likely a Delta + Omicron wave. 2/

The consensus view of Omicron is that it is NOT innately more contagious, but that it IS spreading much faster. 3/

This would be similar to what’s happening as we look at how fast the virus spreads. What we’re seeing is clouded by the impact of prior infection, not the innate properties of the virus itself. 14/

If Omicron were the only challenge of the winter, it would be easier to manage. But Omicron will arrive when Delta is raging. And if Delta spreads as fast or faster than Omicron innately, then scientists tell me we are likely to get stuck with both. 18/

That means two viruses circulating, 2 types of immunity required to thwart infection. 2 cycles of spread.

We have had 2 strains of the flu before. 2 flu vaccines combined.

One solution. 19/

Den italienska man, en tandläkare, som försökte få covidpass genom att vaccinera sig med en silikonarm har nu fått en dos covidvaccin på riktigt, skriver nyhetsbyrån AP.

Han säger också att vaccinet är ”det bästa vapnet vi har mot den här hemska sjukdomen”, uppger nyhetsbyrån.