@article{Chemaitelly2022d,

title = {Duration of immune protection of SARS-CoV-2 natural infection against reinfection},

author = {Hiam Chemaitelly Nico Nagelkerke Houssein H. Ayoub Peter Coyle Patrick Tang Hadi M. Yassine Hebah A. Al-Khatib, Maria K. Smatti, Mohammad R. Hasan Zaina Al-Kanaani Einas Al-Kuwari Andrew Jeremijenko Anvar Hassan Kaleeckal Ali Nizar Latif Riyazuddin Mohammad Shaik Hanan F. Abdul-Rahim Gheyath K. Nasrallah Mohamed Ghaith Al-Kuwari Adeel A. Butt Hamad Eid Al-Romaihi Mohamed H. Al-Thani Abdullatif Al-Khal Roberto Bertollini Laith J. Abu-Raddad,},

url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36179099/},

year  = {2022},

date = {2022-09-01},

urldate = {2022-09-01},

journal = {Journal of Travel Medicine},

abstract = {BACKGROUND The future of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic hinges on virus evolution and duration of immune protection of natural infection against reinfection. We investigated duration of protection afforded by natural infection, the effect of viral immune evasion on duration of protection, and protection against severe reinfection, in Qatar, between February 28, 2020 and June 5, 2022.



METHODS Three national, matched, retrospective cohort studies were conducted to compare incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 severity among unvaccinated persons with a documented SARS-CoV-2 primary infection, to incidence among those infection-naïve and unvaccinated. Associations were estimated using Cox proportional-hazard regression models.



RESULTS Effectiveness of pre-Omicron primary infection against pre-Omicron reinfection was 85.5% (95% CI: 84.8-86.2%). Effectiveness peaked at 90.5% (95% CI: 88.4-92.3%) in the 7th month after the primary infection, but waned to ∼70% by the 16th month. Extrapolating this waning trend using a Gompertz curve suggested an effectiveness of 50% in the 22nd month and <10% by the 32nd month. Effectiveness of pre-Omicron primary infection against Omicron reinfection was 38.1% (95% CI: 36.3-39.8%) and declined with time since primary infection. A Gompertz curve suggested an effectiveness of <10% by the 15th month. Effectiveness of primary infection against severe, critical, or fatal COVID-19 reinfection was 97.3% (95% CI: 94.9- 98.6%), irrespective of the variant of primary infection or reinfection, and with no evidence for waning. Similar results were found in sub-group analyses for those ≥50 years of age.



CONCLUSIONS Protection of natural infection against reinfection wanes and may diminish within a few years. Viral immune evasion accelerates this waning. Protection against severe reinfection remains very strong, with no evidence for waning, irrespective of variant, for over 14 months after primary infection.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Qassim2022,

title = {Effects of SARS-CoV-2 Alpha, Beta, and Delta variants, age, vaccination, and prior infection on infectiousness of SARS-CoV-2 infections},

author = {Suelen H Qassim Mohammad R Hasan Patrick Tang Hiam Chemaitelly Houssein H Ayoub Hadi M Yassine Hebah A Al-Khatib Maria K Smatti Hanan F Abdul-Rahim Gheyath K Nasrallah Mohamed Ghaith Al-Kuwari Abdullatif Al-Khal Peter Coyle Imtiaz Gillani Anvar Hassan Kaleeckal Riyazuddin Mohammad Shaik Ali Nizar Latif Einas Al-Kuwari Andrew Jeremijenko Adeel A Butt Roberto Bertollini Hamad Eid Al-Romaihi Mohamed H Al-Thani Laith J Abu-Raddad,},

url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36177014/},

year  = {2022},

date = {2022-09-01},

urldate = {2022-09-01},

journal = {Frontiers in Immunology},

abstract = {In 2021, Qatar experienced considerable incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection that was dominated sequentially by the Alpha, Beta, and Delta variants. Using the cycle threshold (Ct) value of an RT-qPCR-positive test to proxy the inverse of infectiousness, we investigated infectiousness of SARS-CoV-2 infections by variant, age, sex, vaccination status, prior infection status, and reason for testing in a random sample of 18,355 RT-qPCR-genotyped infections. Regression analyses were conducted to estimate associations with the Ct value of RT-qPCR-positive tests. Compared to Beta infections, Alpha and Delta infections demonstrated 2.56 higher Ct cycles (95% CI: 2.35-2.78), and 4.92 fewer cycles (95% CI: 4.67- 5.16), respectively. The Ct value declined gradually with age and was especially high for children <10 years of age, signifying lower infectiousness in small children. Children <10 years of age had 2.18 higher Ct cycles (95% CI: 1.88-2.48) than those 10-19 years of age. Compared to unvaccinated individuals, the Ct value was higher among individuals who had received one or two vaccine doses, but the Ct value decreased gradually with time since the second-dose vaccination. Ct value was 2.07 cycles higher (95% CI: 1.42-2.72) for those with a prior infection than those without prior infection. The Ct value was lowest among individuals tested because of symptoms and was highest among individuals tested as a travel requirement. Delta was substantially more infectious than Beta. Prior immunity, whether due to vaccination or prior infection, is associated with lower infectiousness of breakthrough infections, but infectiousness increases gradually with time since the second-dose vaccination.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Younes2022,

title = {Validation of a Novel Fluorescent Lateral Flow Assay for Rapid Qualitative and Quantitative Assessment of Total Anti-SARS-CoV-2 S-RBD Binding Antibody Units (BAU) from Plasma or Fingerstick Whole-Blood of COVID-19 Vaccinees},

author = {Nadin Younes Duaa W Al-Sadeq Farah M Shurrab Hadeel T Zedan Haissam Abou-Saleh Bushra Y Abo-Halawa Fatima M AlHamaydeh Amira E Elsharafi Hanin I Daas Swapna Thomas Sahar Aboalmaaly Afra Al Farsi Reeham Al-Buainain Samar Ataelmannan Jiji Paul Amana Salih Al Saadi Hadi M Yassine Amin F Majdalawieh Ahmed Ismail Laith J Abu-Raddad Gheyath K Nasrallah},

url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36016206/},

year  = {2022},

date = {2022-08-15},

urldate = {2022-08-15},

journal = {Vaccines},

abstract = {Background: Limited commercial LFA assays are available to provide a reliable quantitative measurement of the total binding antibody units (BAU/mL) against the receptor-binding domain of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein (S-RBD). Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the performance of the fluorescence LFA FinecareTM 2019-nCoV S-RBD test along with its reader (Model No.: FS-113) against the following reference methods: (i) the FDA-approved GenScript surrogate virus-neutralizing assay (sVNT); and (ii) three highly performing automated immunoassays: BioMérieux VIDAS®3, Ortho VITROS®, and Mindray CL-900i®. Methods: Plasma from 488 vaccinees was tested by all aforementioned assays. Fingerstick whole-blood samples from 156 vaccinees were also tested by FinecareTM. Results and conclusions: FinecareTM showed 100% specificity, as none of the pre-pandemic samples tested positive. Equivalent FinecareTM results were observed among the samples taken from fingerstick or plasma (Pearson correlation r = 0.9, p < 0.0001), suggesting that fingerstick samples are sufficient to quantitate the S-RBD BAU/mL. A moderate correlation was observed between FinecareTM and sVNT (r = 0.5, p < 0.0001), indicating that FinecareTM can be used for rapid prediction of the neutralizing antibody (nAb) post-vaccination. FinecareTM BAU results showed strong correlation with VIDAS®3 (r = 0.6, p < 0.0001) and moderate correlation with VITROS® (r = 0.5, p < 0.0001) and CL-900i® (r = 0.4, p < 0.0001), suggesting that FinecareTM can be used as a surrogate for the advanced automated assays to measure S-RBD BAU/mL.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Nasrallah2022g,

title = {Validation of a Novel Fluorescent Lateral Flow Assay for Rapid Qualitative and Quantitative Assessment of Total Anti-SARS-CoV-2 S-RBD Binding Antibody Units (BAU) from Plasma or Fingerstick Whole-Blood of COVID-19 Vaccinees.},

author = {Nadin Younes Duaa W Al-Sadeq Farah M Shurrab Hadeel T Zedan Haissam Abou-Saleh Bushra Y Abo-Halawa Fatima M AlHamaydeh Amira E Elsharafi Hanin I Daas Swapna Thomas Sahar Aboalmaaly Afra Al Farsi Reeham Al-Buainain Samar Ataelmannan Jiji Paul Amana Salih Al Saadi Hadi M Yassine Amin F Majdalawieh Ahmed Ismail Laith J Abu-Raddad Gheyath K Nasrallah },

doi = {10.3390/vaccines10081318},

year  = {2022},

date = {2022-08-15},

journal = {Vaccines},

abstract = {Background: Limited commercial LFA assays are available to provide a reliable quantitative measurement of the total binding antibody units (BAU/mL) against the receptor-binding domain of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein (S-RBD). Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the performance of the fluorescence LFA FinecareTM 2019-nCoV S-RBD test along with its reader (Model No.: FS-113) against the following reference methods: (i) the FDA-approved GenScript surrogate virus-neutralizing assay (sVNT); and (ii) three highly performing automated immunoassays: BioMérieux VIDAS®3, Ortho VITROS®, and Mindray CL-900i®. Methods: Plasma from 488 vaccinees was tested by all aforementioned assays. Fingerstick whole-blood samples from 156 vaccinees were also tested by FinecareTM. Results and conclusions: FinecareTM showed 100% specificity, as none of the pre-pandemic samples tested positive. Equivalent FinecareTM results were observed among the samples taken from fingerstick or plasma (Pearson correlation r = 0.9, p < 0.0001), suggesting that fingerstick samples are sufficient to quantitate the S-RBD BAU/mL. A moderate correlation was observed between FinecareTM and sVNT (r = 0.5, p < 0.0001), indicating that FinecareTM can be used for rapid prediction of the neutralizing antibody (nAb) post-vaccination. FinecareTM BAU results showed strong correlation with VIDAS®3 (r = 0.6, p < 0.0001) and moderate correlation with VITROS® (r = 0.5, p < 0.0001) and CL-900i® (r = 0.4, p < 0.0001), suggesting that FinecareTM can be used as a surrogate for the advanced automated assays to measure S-RBD BAU/mL.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Chemaitelly2022e,

title = {Protection of Omicron sub-lineage infection against reinfection with another Omicron sub-lineage},

author = {Hiam Chemaitelly Houssein H. Ayoub Peter Coyle Patrick Tang Hadi M. Yassine Hebah A. Al-Khatib Maria K. Smatti Mohammad R. Hasan Zaina Al-Kanaani Einas Al-Kuwari Andrew Jeremijenko Anvar Hassan Kaleeckal Ali Nizar Latif Riyazuddin Mohammad Shaik Hanan F. Abdul-Rahim Gheyath K. Nasrallah Mohamed Ghaith Al-Kuwari Adeel A. Butt Hamad Eid Al-Romaihi Mohamed H. Al-Thani Abdullatif Al-Khal Roberto Bertollini Laith J. Abu-Raddad, },

year  = {2022},

date = {2022-08-09},

urldate = {2022-08-09},

journal = {Nature Communications},

abstract = {There is significant genetic distance between SARS-CoV-2 Omicron (B.1.1.529) variant BA.1 and BA.2 sub-lineages. This study investigates immune protection of infection with one sub-lineage against reinfection with the other sub-lineage in Qatar during a large BA.1 and BA.2 Omicron wave, from December 19, 2021 to March 21, 2022. Two national matched, retrospective cohort studies are conducted to estimate effectiveness of BA.1 infection against reinfection with BA.2 (N = 20,994; BA.1-against-BA.2 study), and effectiveness of BA.2 infection against reinfection with BA.1 (N = 110,315; BA.2-against-BA.1 study). Associations are estimated using Cox proportional-hazards regression models after multiple imputation to assign a sub-lineage status for cases with no sub-lineage status (using probabilities based on the test date). Effectiveness of BA.1 infection against reinfection with BA.2 is estimated at 94.2% (95% CI: 89.2–96.9%). Effectiveness of BA.2 infection against reinfection with BA.1 is estimated at 80.9% (95% CI: 73.1–86.4%). Infection with the BA.1 sub-lineage appears to induce strong, but not full immune protection against reinfection with the BA.2 sub-lineage, and vice versa, for at least several weeks after the initial infection.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Zedan2022,

title = {Evaluation of commercially available fully automated and ELISA-based assays for detecting anti-SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies},

author = {Hadeel T Zedan Hadi M Yassine Duaa W Al-Sadeq Na Liu Hamda Qotba Eleonora Nicolai Massimo Pieri Sergio Bernardini Laith J Abu-Raddad Gheyath K Nasrallah,},

url = {https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9643483/},

year  = {2022},

date = {2022-08-01},

urldate = {2022-08-01},

journal = {Scientific reports },

volume = {12},

pages = {19020},

abstract = {Rapid and accurate measurement of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV2)-specific neutralizing antibodies (nAbs) is paramount for monitoring immunity in infected and vaccinated subjects. The current gold standard relies on pseudovirus neutralization tests which require sophisticated skills and facilities. Alternatively, recent competitive immunoassays measuring anti-SARS-CoV-2 nAbs are proposed as a quick and commercially available surrogate virus neutralization test (sVNT). Here, we report the performance evaluation of three sVNTs, including two ELISA-based assays and an automated bead-based immunoassay for detecting nAbs against SARS-CoV-2. The performance of three sVNTs, including GenScript cPass, Dynamiker, and Mindray NTAb was assessed in samples collected from SARS-CoV-2 infected patients (n = 160), COVID-19 vaccinated individuals (n = 163), and pre-pandemic controls (n = 70). Samples were collected from infected patients and vaccinated individuals 2–24 weeks after symptoms onset or second dose administration. Correlation analysis with pseudovirus neutralization test (pVNT) and immunoassays detecting anti-SARS-CoV-2 binding antibodies was performed. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was generated to assess the optimal threshold for detecting nAbs by each assay. All three sVNTs showed an excellent performance in terms of specificity (100%) and sensitivity (100%, 97.0%, and 97.1% for GenScript, Dynamiker, and Mindray, respectively) in samples collected from vaccinated subjects. GenScript demonstrated the strongest correlation with pVNT (r = 0.743, R2 = 0.552), followed by Mindray (r = 0.718, R2 = 0.515) and Dynamiker (r = 0.608, R2 = 0.369). Correlation with anti-SARS-CoV-2 binding antibodies was variable, but the strongest correlations were observed between anti-RBD IgG antibodies and Mindray (r = 0.952, R2 = 0.907). ROC curve analyses demonstrated excellent performance for all three sVNT assays in both groups, with an AUC ranging between 0.99 and 1.0 (p < 0.0001). Also, it was shown that the manufacturer's recommended cutoff values could be modified based on the tested cohort without significantly affecting the sVNT performance. The sVNT provides a rapid, low-cost, and scalable alternative to conventional neutralization assays for measuring and expanding nAbs testing across various research and clinical settings. Also, it could aid in evaluating actual protective immunity at the population level and assessing vaccine effectiveness to lay a foundation for boosters' requirements.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Pruvost2022,

title = {Solar cultivation of microalgae in a desert environment for the development of techno- functional feed ingredients for aquaculture in Qatar},

author = {Rihab Rasheed Mahmoud Thaher Nadin Younes Touria Bounnit Kira Schipper Gheyath K Nasrallah Hareb Al Jabri Imma Gifuni Olivier Goncalves Jeremy Pruvost,},

url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0048969722026341},

doi = {doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.155538},

year  = {2022},

date = {2022-07-20},

urldate = {2022-07-20},

journal = {Science of The Total Environment},

volume = {835},

number = {20},

pages = {155538},

abstract = {The demand for aquaculture feed will increase in the coming years in order to ensure food security for a growing global population. Microalgae represent a potential fish-feed ingredient; however, the feasibility of their sustainable production has great influence on its successful application. Geographical locations offering high light and temperature, such as Qatar, are ideal to cultivate microalgae with high productivities. For that, the environmental and biological interactions, including field and laboratory optimization, for solar production and application of two native microalgae, Picochlorum maculatum and Nannochloris atomus, were investigated as potential aquaculture feed ingredients. After validating pilot-scale outdoor cultivation, both strains were further investigated under simulated seasonal conditions using a thermal model to predict light and culture temperature cycles for the major climatic seasons in Qatar. Applied thermal and light variations ranged from 36 °C and 2049 μmol/m2/s in extreme summer, to as low as 15 °C and 1107 μmol/m2/s in winter, respectively. Biomass productivities of both strains varied significantly with maximum productivities of 32.9 ± 2.5 g/m2/d and 17.1 ± 0.8 g/m2/d found under moderate summer conditions for P. maculatum and N. atomus, respectively. These productivities were significantly reduced under both extreme summer, as well as winter conditions. To improve annual biomass productivities, the effect of implementation of a simple ground heat exchanger for thermal regulation of raceway ponds was also studied. Biomass productivities increased significantly, during extreme seasons due to respective cooling and heating of the culture. Both strains produced high amounts of proteins during winter, 54.5 ± 0.55% and 44 ± 2.25%, while lipid contents were high during summer reaching up to 29.6 ± 0.75 and 28.65 ± 0.65%, for P. maculatum and N. atomus respectively. Finally, using acute toxicity assay with zebra fish embryos, both strains showed no toxicity even at the highest concentrations tested, and is considered safe for use as feed ingredient and to the environment.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Khal2022,

title = {COVID-19 risk score as a public health tool to guide targeted testing: A demonstration study in Qatar},

author = {Laith J Abu-Raddad Soha Dargham Hiam Chemaitelly Peter Coyle Zaina Al Kanaani Einas Al Kuwari Adeel A Butt Andrew Jeremijenko Anvar Hassan Kaleeckal Ali Nizar Latif Riyazuddin Mohammad Shaik Hanan F Abdul Rahim Gheyath K Nasrallah Hadi M Yassine Mohamed G Al Kuwari Hamad Eid Al Romaihi Mohamed H Al-Thani Abdullatif Al Khal Roberto Bertollini,

},

url = {https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0271324},

doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0271324},

year  = {2022},

date = {2022-07-19},

urldate = {2022-07-19},

journal = {PLoS One},

volume = {19},

number = {17},

pages = {e0271324},

abstract = {We developed a Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) risk score to guide targeted RT-PCR testing in Qatar. The Qatar national COVID-19 testing database, encompassing a total of 2,688,232 RT-PCR tests conducted between February 5, 2020-January 27, 2021, was analyzed. Logistic regression analyses were implemented to derive the COVID-19 risk score, as a tool to identify those at highest risk of having the infection. Score cut-off was determined using the ROC curve based on maximum sum of sensitivity and specificity. The score's performance diagnostics were assessed. Logistic regression analysis identified age, sex, and nationality as significant predictors of infection and were included in the risk score. The ROC curve was generated and the area under the curve was estimated at 0.63 (95% CI: 0.63-0.63). The score had a sensitivity of 59.4% (95% CI: 59.1%-59.7%), specificity of 61.1% (95% CI: 61.1%-61.2%), a positive predictive value of 10.9% (95% CI: 10.8%-10.9%), and a negative predictive value of 94.9% (94.9%-95.0%). The concept and utility of a COVID-19 risk score were demonstrated in Qatar. Such a public health tool can have considerable utility in optimizing testing and suppressing infection transmission, while maximizing efficiency and use of available resources.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Abu-Raddad2022d,

title = {Effects of previous infection and vaccination on symptomatic Omicron infections},

author = {Heba N Altarawneh Hiam Chemaitelly Houssein H Ayoub Patrick Tang Mohammad R Hasan Hadi M Yassine Hebah A Al-Khatib Maria K Smatti Peter Coyle Zaina Al-Kanaani Einas Al-Kuwari Andrew Jeremijenko Anvar H Kaleeckal Ali N Latif Riyazuddin M Shaik Hanan F Abdul-Rahim Gheyath K Nasrallah Mohamed G Al-Kuwari Adeel A Butt Hamad E Al-Romaihi Mohamed H Al-Thani Abdullatif Al-Khal Roberto Bertollini Laith J Abu-Raddad},

doi = {10.1056/NEJMoa2203965},

year  = {2022},

date = {2022-07-07},

urldate = {2022-07-07},

journal = {New England Journal of Medicine},

volume = {387},

abstract = {BACKGROUND

The protection conferred by natural immunity, vaccination, and both against symptomatic severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection with the BA.1 or BA.2 sublineages of the omicron (B.1.1.529) variant is unclear.

METHODS

We conducted a national, matched, test-negative, case–control study in Qatar from December 23, 2021, through February 21, 2022, to evaluate the effectiveness of vaccination with BNT162b2 (Pfizer–BioNTech) or mRNA-1273 (Moderna), natural immunity due to previous infection with variants other than omicron, and hybrid immunity (previous infection and vaccination) against symptomatic omicron infection and against severe, critical, or fatal coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

RESULTS

The effectiveness of previous infection alone against symptomatic BA.2 infection was 46.1% (95% confidence interval [CI], 39.5 to 51.9). The effectiveness of vaccination with two doses of BNT162b2 and no previous infection was negligible (−1.1%; 95% CI, −7.1 to 4.6), but nearly all persons had received their second dose more than 6 months earlier. The effectiveness of three doses of BNT162b2 and no previous infection was 52.2% (95% CI, 48.1 to 55.9). The effectiveness of previous infection and two doses of BNT162b2 was 55.1% (95% CI, 50.9 to 58.9), and the effectiveness of previous infection and three doses of BNT162b2 was 77.3% (95% CI, 72.4 to 81.4). Previous infection alone, BNT162b2 vaccination alone, and hybrid immunity all showed strong effectiveness (>70%) against severe, critical, or fatal Covid-19 due to BA.2 infection. Similar results were observed in analyses of effectiveness against BA.1 infection and of vaccination with mRNA-1273.

CONCLUSIONS

No discernable differences in protection against symptomatic BA.1 and BA.2 infection were seen with previous infection, vaccination, and hybrid immunity. Vaccination enhanced protection among persons who had had a previous infection. Hybrid immunity resulting from previous infection and recent booster vaccination conferred the strongest protection. (Funded by Weill Cornell Medicine–Qatar and others},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Nasrallah2022b,

title = {Pyridoxine non- responsive R336C mutation alters the molecular properties of cystathionine beta- synthase leading to severe homocystinuria},

author = {Duaa W Al-Sadeq Angelos Thanassoulas Zeyaul Islam Prasanna Kolatkar Nader Al-Dewik Bared Safieh-Garabedian Gheyath K Nasrallah Michail Nomikos,},

url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0304416522000666?via%3Dihub#s0010},

doi = {10.1016/j.bbagen.2022.130148},

year  = {2022},

date = {2022-07-04},

urldate = {2022-07-04},

journal = {Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) - General Subjects},

volume = {1866},

number = {7},

pages = {130148},

abstract = {•The prevalence of homocystinuria in Qatar is 1:1800, mainly due to a founder missense mutation p.R336C.



•The cystathionine beta-synthase (CBS) R336C mutant was bacterially expressed, purified and its molecular properties were compared to CBS wild type (WT) recombinant protein.



•Our data revealed that p.R336C mutation results in a dramatic reduction (∼86%) of CBS enzymatic activity.



•Circular Dichroism experiments suggested that the p.R336C mutation does not significantly alter the secondary structure of the CBS protein.



•CD spectra also revealed distinct differences in the thermal unfolding mechanisms of CBS WT and R336C mutant protein species.



•Chemical denaturation experiments indicated that the WT CBS protein is thermodynamically more stable than the R336C mutant, suggesting a destabilizing effect of the p.R336C mutation.



•This study provides mechanistic insight into the pathogenicity of the p.R336C mutation that leads to a severe homocystinuria phenotype.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Nasrallah2022e,

title = {Effectiveness of mRNA booster doses against the omicron variant},

author = {Hadeel T Zedan Gheyath K Nasrallah,},

doi = {doi.org/10.1016/S1473-3099(22)00319-X},

year  = {2022},

date = {2022-06-02},

urldate = {2022-06-02},

journal = {The Lancet Infectious Diseases},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Raddad2022f,

title = {Duration of mRNA vaccine protection against SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA. 1 and BA. 2 subvariants in Qatar},

author = {Hiam Chemaitelly Houssein H Ayoub Sawsan AlMukdad Peter Coyle Patrick Tang Hadi M Yassine Hebah A Al-Khatib Maria K Smatti Mohammad R Hasan Zaina Al- Kanaani Einas Al-Kuwari Andrew Jeremijenko Anvar Hassan Kaleeckal Ali Nizar Latif Riyazuddin Mohammad Shaik Hanan F Abdul- Rahim Gheyath K Nasrallah Mohamed Ghaith Al-Kuwari Adeel A Butt Hamad Eid Al-Romaihi Mohamed H Al-Thani Abdullatif Al- Khal Roberto Bertollini Laith J Abu- Raddad,},

year  = {2022},

date = {2022-06-02},

urldate = {2022-06-02},

journal = {Nature Communications},

volume = {13},

pages = {3082},

abstract = {SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA.1 and BA.2 subvariants are genetically divergent. We conducted a matched, test-negative, case-control study to estimate duration of protection of the second and third/booster doses of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines against BA.1 and BA.2 infections in Qatar. BNT162b2 effectiveness was highest at 46.6% (95% CI: 33.4–57.2%) against symptomatic BA.1 and at 51.7% (95% CI: 43.2–58.9%) against symptomatic BA.2 infections in the first three months after the second dose, but declined to ~10% or below thereafter. Effectiveness rebounded to 59.9% (95% CI: 51.2–67.0%) and 43.7% (95% CI: 36.5–50.0%), respectively, in the first month after the booster dose, before declining again. Effectiveness against COVID-19 hospitalization and death was 70–80% after the second dose and >90% after the booster dose. mRNA-1273 vaccine protection showed similar patterns. mRNA vaccines provide comparable, moderate, and short-lived protection against symptomatic BA.1 and BA.2 Omicron infections, but strong and durable protection against COVID-19 hospitalization and death.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Nasrallah2022f,

title = {Immunomodulatory and Anti- Inflammatory Effects of Berberine in Lung Tissue and its Potential Application in Prophylaxis and Treatment of COVID-19},

author = {Amin F Majdalawieh, Sarah M Yousef, Imad A Abu-Yousef, Gheyath K Nasrallah},

year  = {2022},

date = {2022-05-20},

urldate = {2022-05-20},

journal = {Frontiers in Bioscience-Landmark},

volume = {27},

number = {5},

pages = {166},

abstract = {Natural products with known safety profiles are a promising source for the discovery of new drug leads. Berberine presents an example of one such phytochemical that has been extensively studied for its anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties against myriads of diseases, ranging from respiratory disorders to viral infections. A growing body of research supports the pluripotent therapeutic role berberine may play against the dreaded disease COVID-19. The exact pathophysiological features of COVID-19 are yet to be elucidated. However, compelling evidence suggests inflammation and immune dysregulations as major features of this disease. Being a potent immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory agent, berberine may prove to be useful for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19. This review aims to revisit the pharmacological anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory benefits of berberine on a multitude of respiratory infections, which like COVID-19, are known to adversely affect the airways and lungs. We speculate that berberine may help alleviate COVID-19 via preventing cytokine storm, restoring Th1/Th2 balance, and enhancing cell-mediated immunity. Furthermore, the role this promising phytochemical plays on other important inflammatory mediators involved in respiratory disorders will be underscored. We further highlight the role of berberine against COVID-19 by underscoring direct evidence from in silico, in vitro, and in vivo studies suggesting the inhibitory potential berberine may play against three critical SARS-CoV-2 targets, namely main protease, spike protein, and angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 receptor. Further preclinical and clinical trials are certainly required to further substantiate the efficacy and potency of berberine against COVID-19 in humans.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Bertollini;2022,

title = {Effect of mRNA Vaccine Boosters against SARS- CoV-2 Omicron Infection in Qatar},

author = {Laith J. Abu-Raddad Hiam Chemaitelly Houssein H. Ayoub Sawsan AlMukdad Hadi M. Yassine Hebah A. Al-Khatib Maria K. Smatti Patrick Tang Mohammad R. Hasan Peter Coyle Zaina Al-Kanaani Einas Al-Kuwari Andrew Jeremijenko Anvar H. Kaleeckal Ali N. Latif Riyazuddin M. Shaik Hanan F. Abdul-Rahim Gheyath K. Nasrallah Mohamed Ghaith Al-Kuwari Adeel A. Butt Hamad Eid Al-Romaihi Mohamed H. Al-Thani Abdullatif Al-Khal and Roberto Bertollini,},

url = {https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2200797},

doi = {10.1056/NEJMoa2200797},

year  = {2022},

date = {2022-05-12},

urldate = {2022-05-12},

journal = {New England Journal of Medicine},

volume = {386},

pages = {1804-1816},

abstract = {BACKGROUND

Waning of vaccine protection against coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) and the emergence of the omicron (or B.1.1.529) variant of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) have led to expedited efforts to scale up booster vaccination. Protection conferred by booster doses of the BNT162b2 (Pfizer–BioNTech) and mRNA-1273 (Moderna) vaccines in Qatar, as compared with protection conferred by the two-dose primary series, is unclear.

METHODS



We conducted two matched retrospective cohort studies to assess the effectiveness of booster vaccination, as compared with that of a two-dose primary series alone, against symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection and Covid-19–related hospitalization and death during a large wave of omicron infections from December 19, 2021, through January 26, 2022. The association of booster status with infection was estimated with the use of Cox proportional-hazards regression models.

RESULTS

In a population of 2,239,193 persons who had received at least two doses of BNT162b2 or mRNA-1273 vaccine, those who had also received a booster were matched with persons who had not received a booster. Among the BNT162b2-vaccinated persons, the cumulative incidence of symptomatic omicron infection was 2.4% (95% confidence interval [CI], 2.3 to 2.5) in the booster cohort and 4.5% (95% CI, 4.3 to 4.6) in the nonbooster cohort after 35 days of follow-up. Booster effectiveness against symptomatic omicron infection, as compared with that of the primary series, was 49.4% (95% CI, 47.1 to 51.6). Booster effectiveness against Covid-19–related hospitalization and death due to omicron infection, as compared with the primary series, was 76.5% (95% CI, 55.9 to 87.5). BNT162b2 booster effectiveness against symptomatic infection with the delta (or B.1.617.2) variant, as compared with the primary series, was 86.1% (95% CI, 67.3 to 94.1). Among the mRNA-1273–vaccinated persons, the cumulative incidence of symptomatic omicron infection was 1.0% (95% CI, 0.9 to 1.2) in the booster cohort and 1.9% (95% CI, 1.8 to 2.1) in the nonbooster cohort after 35 days; booster effectiveness against symptomatic omicron infection, as compared with the primary series, was 47.3% (95% CI, 40.7 to 53.3). Few severe Covid-19 cases were noted in the mRNA-1273–vaccinated cohorts.

CONCLUSIONS

The messenger RNA (mRNA) boosters were highly effective against symptomatic delta infection, but they were less effective against symptomatic omicron infection. However, with both variants, mRNA boosters led to strong protection against Covid-19–related hospitalization and death. (Funded by Weill Cornell Medicine–Qatar and others},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Mohsen2022,

title = {Increased receptor affinity and reduced recognition by specific antibodies contribute to immune escape of SARS-CoV-2 variant Omicron},

author = {Anne-Cathrine S Vogt Gilles Augusto Byron Martina Xinyue Chang Gheyath Nasrallah Daniel E Speiser Monique Vogel Martin F Bachmann Mona O Mohsen,},

url = {https://www.mdpi.com/2076-393X/10/5/743},

doi = {doi.org/10.3390/vaccines10050743},

year  = {2022},

date = {2022-05-02},

urldate = {2022-05-02},

journal = {Vaccines},

volume = {10},

number = {5},

pages = {743},

abstract = {In this report, we mechanistically reveal how the Variant of Concern (VOC) SARS-CoV-2 Omicron (B.1.1.529) escapes neutralizing antibody responses, by physio-chemical characterization of this variant in comparison to the wild-type Wuhan and the Delta variant (B.1.617.2). Convalescent sera, as well as sera obtained from participants who received two or three doses of mRNA vaccines (Moderna-mRNA-1273® or Pfizer-BNT162b2®), were used for comparison in this study. Our data demonstrate that both Delta, as well as Omicron variants, exhibit a higher affinity for the receptor ACE2, facilitating infection and causing antibody escape by receptor affinity (affinity escape), due to the reduced ability of antibodies to compete with RBD-receptor interaction and virus neutralization. In contrast, only Omicron but not the Delta variant escaped antibody recognition, most likely because only Omicron exhibits the mutation at E484A, a position associated with reduced recognition, resulting in further reduced neutralization (specificity escape). Nevertheless, the immunizations with RNA-based vaccines resulted in marked viral neutralization in vitro for all strains, compatible with the fact that Omicron is still largely susceptible to vaccination-induced antibodies, despite affinity- and specificity escape},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Yassine2022,

title = {Burden and disease pathogenesis of influenza and other respiratory viruses in diabetic patients},

author = {Swapna Thomas Allal Ouhtit Hebah A Al Khatib Ali H Eid Shilu Mathew Gheyath K Nasrallah Mohamed M Emara Muna A Al Maslamani Hadi M Yassine,},

url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1876034122000582?via%3Dihub},

doi = {doi.org/10.1016/j.jiph.2022.03.002},

year  = {2022},

date = {2022-04-04},

urldate = {2022-04-04},

journal = {Journal of Infection and Public Health},

volume = {15},

number = {4},

pages = {412-424},

abstract = {Over the past two decades, diabetes mellitus (DM) has been receiving increasing attention among autoimmune diseases. The prevalence of type 1 and type 2 diabetes has increased rapidly and has become one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Therefore, a better understanding of the genetic and environmental risk factors that trigger the onset of DM would help develop more efficient therapeutics and preventive measures. The role and mechanism of respiratory viruses in inducing autoimmunity have been frequently reported. On the other hand, the association of DM with respiratory infections might result in severe complications or even death. Since influenza is the most common respiratory infection, DM patients experience disease severity and increased hospitalization during influenza season. Vaccinating diabetic patients against influenza would significantly reduce hospitalization due to disease severity. However, recent studies also report the role of viral vaccines in inducing autoimmunity, specifically diabetes. This review reports causes of diabetes, including genetic and viral factors, with a special focus on respiratory viruses. We further brief the burden of influenza-associated complications and the effectiveness of the influenza vaccine in DM patients.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Nasrallah2022c,

title = {Performance evaluation of novel fluorescent-based lateral immune flow assay (LIFA) for rapid detection and quantitation of total anti-SARS- CoV-2 S-RBD binding antibodies in infected individuals},

author = {Farah M Shurrab Nadin Younes Duaa W Al-Sadeq Na Liu Hamda Qotba Laith J Abu-Raddad Gheyath K Nasrallah,},

doi = {10.1016/j.ijid.2022.02.052},

year  = {2022},

date = {2022-02-26},

urldate = {2022-02-26},

journal = {International Journal f Infectious Disease },

volume = {118},

pages = {132-137},

abstract = {Background



A vast majority of the commercially available lateral flow immunoassay (LFIA) is used to detect SARS-CoV-2 antibodies qualitatively. Recently, a novel fluorescence-based lateral flow immunoassay (LFIA) test was developed for quantitative measurement of the total binding antibody units (BAUs) (BAU/mL) against SARS-CoV-2 spike protein receptor-binding domain (S-RBD).



Aim



This study aimed to evaluate the performance of the fluorescence LFIA FinecareTM 2019-nCoV S-RBD test along with its reader (Model No.: FS-113).



Methods



Plasma from 150 reverse trancriptase–PCR (RT-PCR)-confirmed positive individuals and 100 prepandemic samples were tested by FincareTM to access sensitivity and specificity. For qualitative and quantitative validation of the FinCareTM measurements, BAU/mL results of FinCareTM were compared with results of 2 reference assays: the surrogate virus-neutralizing test (sVNT, GenScript Biotech, USA) and the VIDAS®3 automated assay (BioMérieux, France).



Results



FinecareTM showed 92% sensitivity and 100% specificity compared with PCR. Cohen's Kappa statistic denoted moderate and excellent agreement with sVNT and VIDAS®3, with values being 0.557 (95% CI: 0.32–0.78) and 0.731 (95% CI: 0.51–0.95), respectively. A strong correlation was observed between FinecareTM/sVNT (r = 0.7, p < 0.0001) and FinecareTM/VIDAS®3 (r = 0.8, p < 0.0001).



Conclusion



FinecareTM is a reliable assay and can be used as a surrogate to assess binding and neutralizing antibody response after infection or vaccination, particularly in none or small laboratory settings.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Abu-Raddad2022c,

title = {Protection against the Omicron Variant from previous SARS- CoV-2 Infection},

author = {Heba N Altarawneh Hiam Chemaitelly Mohammad R Hasan Houssein H Ayoub Suelen Qassim Sawsan AlMukdad Peter Coyle Hadi M Yassine Hebah A Al-Khatib Fatiha M Benslimane Zaina Al-Kanaani Einas Al-Kuwari Andrew Jeremijenko Anvar H Kaleeckal Ali N Latif Riyazuddin M Shaik Hanan F Abdul-Rahim Gheyath K Nasrallah Mohamed G Al-Kuwari Adeel A Butt Hamad E Al-Romaihi Mohamed H Al-Thani Abdullatif Al-Khal Roberto Bertollini Patrick Tang Laith J Abu-Raddad},

doi = {10.1056/NEJMc2200133},

year  = {2022},

date = {2022-02-09},

urldate = {2022-02-09},

journal = {New England Journal of Medicine},

volume = {386},

number = {13},

pages = {1288-1290},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Nasrallah2022i,

title = {Do preexisting antibodies against seasonal coronaviruses have a protective role against SARS-CoV-2 infections and impact on COVID-19 severity?" },

author = {Gheyath K. Nasrallah},

doi = {10.1016/j.ebiom.2022.103831},

year  = {2022},

date = {2022-02-08},

journal = {EBiomedicine},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Ayoub2022,

title = {Characterizing the effective reproduction number during the COVID-19 pandemic: Insights from Qatar's experience.},

author = {Raghid Bsat Hiam Chemaitelly Peter Coyle Patrick Tang Mohammad R Hasan Zaina Al Kanaani Einas Al Kuwari Adeel A Butt Andrew Jeremijenko Anvar Hassan Kaleeckal Ali Nizar Latif Riyazuddin Mohammad Shaik Gheyath K Nasrallah Fatiha M Benslimane Hebah A Al Khatib Hadi M Yassine Mohamed G Al Kuwari Hamad Eid Al Romaihi Mohamed H Al-Thani Abdullatif Al Khal Roberto Bertollini Laith J Abu-Raddad Houssein H Ayoub},

url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35136602/},

doi = {10.7189/jogh.12.05004},

year  = {2022},

date = {2022-02-07},

urldate = {2022-02-07},

journal = {Journal of Global Health},

abstract = {Background: The effective reproduction number, Rt , is a tool to track and understand pandemic dynamics. This investigation of Rt estimations was conducted to guide the national COVID-19 response in Qatar, from the onset of the pandemic until August 18, 2021.



Methods: Real-time "empirical" Rt Empirical was estimated using five methods, including the Robert Koch Institute, Cislaghi, Systrom-Bettencourt and Ribeiro, Wallinga and Teunis, and Cori et al. methods. Rt was also estimated using a transmission dynamics model (Rt Model-based ). Uncertainty and sensitivity analyses were conducted. Correlations between different Rt estimates were assessed by calculating correlation coefficients, and agreements between these estimates were assessed through Bland-Altman plots.



Results: Rt Empirical captured the evolution of the pandemic through three waves, public health response landmarks, effects of major social events, transient fluctuations coinciding with significant clusters of infection, and introduction and expansion of the Alpha (B.1.1.7) variant. The various estimation methods produced consistent and overall comparable Rt Empirical estimates with generally large correlation coefficients. The Wallinga and Teunis method was the fastest at detecting changes in pandemic dynamics. Rt Empirical estimates were consistent whether using time series of symptomatic PCR-confirmed cases, all PCR-confirmed cases, acute-care hospital admissions, or ICU-care hospital admissions, to proxy trends in true infection incidence. Rt Model-based correlated strongly with Rt Empirical and provided an average Rt Empirical .



Conclusions: Rt estimations were robust and generated consistent results regardless of the data source or the method of estimation. Findings affirmed an influential role for Rt estimations in guiding national responses to the COVID-19 pandemic, even in resource-limited settings.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{LJ2022,

title = {Effectiveness of mRNA-1273 and BNT162b2 Vaccines in Qatar},

author = {Abu-Raddad LJ, Chemaitelly H, Bertollini R; National Study Group for COVID-19 Vaccination},

doi = {10.1056/NEJMc2117933},

year  = {2022},

date = {2022-02-01},

urldate = {2022-02-01},

journal = {New England Journal of Medicine},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Bertollini2022,

title = {Relative infectiousness of SARS-CoV-2 vaccine breakthrough infections, reinfections, and primary infections},

author = {Laith J. Abu-Raddad Hiam Chemaitelly Houssein H. Ayoub Patrick TangvPeter Coyle Mohammad R. Hasan Hadi M. Yassine Fatiha M. Benslimane Hebah A. Al-Khatib Zaina Al-Kanaani Einas Al-Kuwari Andrew Jeremijenko Anvar Hassan Kaleeckal Ali Nizar Latif Riyazuddin Mohammad Shaik Hanan F. Abdul-Rahim Gheyath K. Nasrallah Mohamed Ghaith Al-Kuwari Adeel A. Butt Hamad Eid Al-Romaihi Abdullatif Al-Khal Mohametabd H. Al-Thani Roberto Bertollini, },

url = {https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-022-28199-7},

year  = {2022},

date = {2022-01-27},

urldate = {2022-01-27},

journal = {nature communications },

volume = {13},

pages = {532},

abstract = {SARS-CoV-2 breakthrough infections in vaccinated individuals and in those who had a prior infection have been observed globally, but the transmission potential of these infections is unknown. The RT-qPCR cycle threshold (Ct) value is inversely correlated with viral load and culturable virus. Here, we investigate differences in RT-qPCR Ct values across Qatar’s national cohorts of primary infections, reinfections, BNT162b2 (Pfizer-BioNTech) breakthrough infections, and mRNA-1273 (Moderna) breakthrough infections. Our matched-cohort analyses of the randomly diagnosed infections show higher mean Ct value in all cohorts of breakthrough infections compared to the cohort of primary infections in unvaccinated individuals. The Ct value is 1.3 (95% CI: 0.9–1.8) cycles higher for BNT162b2 breakthrough infections, 3.2 (95% CI: 1.9–4.5) cycles higher for mRNA-1273 breakthrough infections, and 4.0 (95% CI: 3.5–4.5) cycles higher for reinfections in unvaccinated individuals. Since Ct value correlates inversely with SARS-CoV-2 infectiousness, these differences imply that vaccine breakthrough infections and reinfections are less infectious than primary infections in unvaccinated individuals. Public health benefits of vaccination may have been underestimated, as COVID-19 vaccines not only protect against acquisition of infection, but also appear to protect against transmission of infection.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Nasrallah2022d,

title = {Low risk of serological cross- reactivity between the dengue virus and SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies using advanced detection assays},

author = {Farah M. Shurrab Duaa W. Al-Sadeq Fatima Humaira Amanullaha Enas S. Al-Absi Hamda Qotb Hadi M. Yassine Laith J. Abu-Raddade Gheyath K. Nasrallah,},

doi = {10.1159/000522479},

year  = {2022},

date = {2022-01-25},

urldate = {2022-01-25},

journal = { Intervirology},

abstract = {Several studies have reported serological cross-reactivity of the immune responses between SARS-CoV-2 and DENV. Most of the available studies are based on the point-of-care rapid testing kits. However, some rapid test kits have low specificity and can generate false positives. Hence, we aimed to investigate the potential serological cross-reactivity between SARS-CoV-2 and DENV-IgG antibodies using advanced assays including chemiluminescence immunoassay (CLIA) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test. A total of 90 DENV-IgG-ELISA-positive and 90 DENV-IgG-ELISA-negative prepandemic sera were tested for anti-SARS-CoV-2-IgG using the automated CL-900i CLIA assay. Furthermore, a total of 91 SARS-CoV-2-IgG-CLIA-positive and 91 SARS-CoV-2-IgG-CLIA-negative postpandemic sera were tested for anti-DENV-IgG using the NovaLisa ELISA kit. The DENV-IgG-positive sera resulted in five positives and 85 negatives for SARS-CoV-2-IgG. Similarly, the DENV-IgG-negative sera also resulted in 5 positives and 85 negatives for SARS-CoV-2-IgG. No statistically significant difference in specificity between the DENV-IgG-positive and DENV-IgG-negative sera was found (p value = 1.00). The SARS-CoV-2-IgG-positive sera displayed 43 positives, 47 negatives, and 1 equivocal for DENV-IgG, whereas the SARS-CoV-2-IgG-negative sera resulted in 50 positives, 40 negatives, and 1 equivocal for DENV-IgG. No statistically significant difference in the proportion that is DENV-IgG positive between the SARS-CoV-2-IgG-positive and SARS-CoV-2-IgG-negative sera (p value = 0.58). In conclusion, there is a low risk of serological cross-reactivity between the DENV and SARS-CoV-2-IgG antibodies when using advanced detection assays.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Nasrallah2022h,

title = {Assessment of the Neutralizing Antibody Response of BNT162b2 and mRNA-1273 SARS-CoV-2 Vaccines in Naïve and Previously Infected Individuals: A Comparative Study.},

author = {Farah M Shurrab Duaa W Al-Sadeq Haissam Abou-Saleh Nader Al-Dewik Amira E Elsharafi Fatima M Hamaydeh Bushra Y Abo Halawa Tala M Jamaleddin Huda M Abdul Hameed Parveen B Nizamuddin Fathima Humaira Amanullah Hanin I Daas Laith J Abu-Raddad Gheyath K Nasrallah},

doi = {10.3390/vaccines10020191},

year  = {2022},

date = {2022-01-25},

journal = {Vaccines},

abstract = {The currently authorized mRNA COVID-19 vaccines, Pfizer-BNT162b2 and Moderna-mRNA-1273, offer great promise for reducing the spread of the COVID-19 by generating protective immunity against SARS-CoV-2. Recently, it was shown that the magnitude of the neutralizing antibody (NAbs) response correlates with the degree of protection. However, the difference between the immune response in naïve mRNA-vaccinated and previously infected (PI) individuals is not well studied. We investigated the level of NAbs in naïve and PI individuals after 1 to 26 (median = 6) weeks of the second dose of BNT162b2 or mRNA-1273 vaccination. The naïve mRNA-1273 vaccinated group (n = 68) generated significantly higher (~2-fold, p ≤ 0.001) NAbs than the naïve BNT162b2 (n = 358) group. The P -vaccinated group (n = 42) generated significantly higher (~3-fold; p ≤ 0.001) NAbs levels than the naïve-BNT162b2 (n = 426). Additionally, the older age groups produced a significantly higher levels of antibodies than the young age group (<30) (p = 0.0007). Our results showed that mRNA-1273 generated a higher NAbs response than the BNT162b2 vaccine, and the PI group generated the highest level of NAbs response regardless of the type of vaccine.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Slika2022,

title = {Therapeutic potential of flavonoids in cancer: ROS-mediated mechanisms},

author = {Hasan Slika Hadi Mansour Nadine Wehbe Suzanne A. Nasser Rabah Iratni Gheyath Nasrallah Abdullah Shaito Tarek Ghaddar Firas Kobeissy and Ali H. Eid,

},

url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0753332221012282},

doi = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopha.2021.112442},

year  = {2022},

date = {2022-01-13},

urldate = {2022-01-13},

journal = {Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy},

volume = {146},

abstract = {Cancer is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality around the globe. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) play contradicting roles in cancer incidence and progression. Antioxidants have attracted attention as emerging therapeutic agents. Among these are flavonoids, which are natural polyphenols with established anticancer and antioxidant capacities. Increasing evidence shows that flavonoids can inhibit carcinogenesis via suppressing ROS levels. Surprisingly, flavonoids can also trigger excessive oxidative stress, but this can also induce death of malignant cells. In this review, we explore the inherent characteristics that contribute to the antioxidant capacity of flavonoids, and we dissect the scenarios in which they play the contrasting role as pro-oxidants. Furthermore, we elaborate on the pathways that link flavonoid-mediated modulation of ROS to the prevention and treatment of cancer. Special attention is given to the ROS-mediated anticancer functions that (-)-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), hesperetin, naringenin, quercetin, luteolin, and apigenin evoke in various cancers. We also delve into the structure-function relations that make flavonoids potent antioxidants. This review provides a detailed perspective that can be utilized in future experiments or trials that aim at utilizing flavonoids or verifying their efficacy for developing new pharmacologic agents. We support the argument that flavonoids are attractive candidates for cancer therapy.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Coyle2022,

title = {Assessing the performance of a serological point-of-care test in measuring detectable antibodies against SARS-CoV-2},

author = {Peter V. Coyle Reham Awni El Kahlout Soha R. Dargham Hiam Chemaitelly Mohamed Ali Ben Hadj Kacem Naema Hassan Abdulla Al-Mawlawi Imtiaz Gilliani Nourah Younes Zaina Al Kanaani Abdullatif Al Khal Einas Al Kuwari Andrew Jeremijenko Anvar Hassan Kaleeckal Ali Nizar Lati Riyazuddin Mohammad Shaik Hanan F. Abdul Rahim Gheyath K. Nasrallah Hadi M. Yassine Mohamed G. Al Kuwari Hamad Eid Al Romaihi Patrick Tang Roberto Bertollini Mohamed H. Al-Thani Laith J. Abu-Raddad,},

url = {https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.02.04.21251126v1},

doi = {https://doi.org/10.1101/2021.02.04.21251126},

year  = {2022},

date = {2022-01-11},

urldate = {2022-01-11},

journal = {PLoS One},

abstract = {Objective To investigate the performance of a rapid point-of-care antibody test, the BioMedomics COVID-19 IgM/IgG Rapid Test, in comparison with a high-quality, validated, laboratory-based platform, the Roche Elecsys Anti-SARS-CoV-2 assay.



Methods Serological testing was conducted on 708 individuals. Concordance metrics were estimated. Logistic regression was used to assess associations with seropositivity.



Results SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence was 63.4% (449/708; 95% CI 59.8%-66.9%) using the BioMedomics assay and 71.9% (509/708; 95% CI 68.5%-75.1%) using the Elecsys assay. There were 62 discordant results between the two assays. One specimen was seropositive in the BioMedomics assay, but seronegative in the Elecsys assay, while 61 specimens were seropositive in the Elecsys assay, but seronegative in the BioMedomics assay. Positive, negative, and overall percent agreements between the two assays were 88.0% (95% CI 84.9%-90.6%), 99.5% (95% CI 97.2%-99.9%), and 91.2% (95% CI 88.9%-93.1%), respectively, with a Cohen’s kappa of 0.80 (95% CI 0.77-0.83), indicating excellent agreement. Excluding specimens with lower antibody titers, the agreement improved with positive, negative, and overall percent concordance of 91.2% (95% CI 88.2%-93.6%), 99.5% (95% CI 97.2%-99.9%), and 93.9% (95% CI 91.7%-95.5%), respectively, and a Cohen’s kappa of 0.87 (95% CI 0.84-0.89). Logistic regression confirmed better agreement with higher antibody titers.



Conclusion The BioMedomics COVID-19 IgM/IgG Rapid Test demonstrated excellent performance in measuring detectable antibodies against SARS-CoV-2, supporting the utility of such rapid point-of-care serological testing to guide the public health responses and possible vaccine prioritization.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Matalkeh2022,

title = {Visible Light Photocatalytic Activity of Ag/WO3 Nanoparticles and its Antibacterial Activity Under Ambient Light and in The Dark},

author = {Maha Matalkeh Gheyath K.Nasrallah Farah M. Shurrab Enas S. Al-Absi Widad Mohammed Ahmed Elzatahry Khaled M.Saouda,},

url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590123021001146?dgcid=rss_sd_all},

doi = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rineng.2021.100313},

year  = {2022},

date = {2022-01-10},

urldate = {2022-01-10},

journal = {Results in Engineering},

volume = {13},

abstract = {Nanomaterial such as metals and metal oxide photocatalysts have emerged as important tools for removing contaminants from wastewater and as antibacterial agents to prevent infections; this is mainly due to their stability under different irradiation conditions. Herein, the catalytic and antimicrobial activities of nanocrystalline silver (Ag), supported on tungsten oxide (WO3) nanoparticles prepared using the deposition-precipitation synthesis technique, are studied. The synthesized material was characterized as XRD, XPS, TEM, and TEM-EDS to investigate their physio-chemical properties. HRTEM, XPS analysis shows that the photocatalyst has a large sheet-like morphology with well-dispersed small metallic Ag particles (<3 nm) on the WO3 nanoparticle's surface, with most particles near the edges. Ultraviolet–visible spectra analysis observed a large redshift in the absorbing band edge and decreased bandgap energy from 2.6 to 2.1 eV. Photocatalytic analysis at different concentrations of 1% Ag/WO3 under visible light indicated a high degradation efficiency. The largest degradation efficiency of Methylene Blue (MB) under visible light irradiation was (∼80%) in 120 min at 1 g/L catalyst dosage. The photodegradation of MB under visible light as a function of catalyst dose followed the pseudo-first-order kinetics. In addition, the catalyst shows high degradation efficiency and significant dose-dependent inhibition of Gram-negative E. Coli and the Gram-positive S. aureus. Furthermore, the catalyst showed excellent stability and recyclability.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Abu-Raddad2022,

title = {Waning of mRNA-1273 vaccine effectiveness against SARS-CoV-2 infection in Qatar},

author = {Laith J. Abu-Raddad Hiam Chemaitelly Houssein H. Ayoub Hadi M. Yassine Fatiha M. Benslimane Hebah A. Al Khatib Patrick Tang Mohammad R. Hasan Peter Coyle Zaina Al Kanaani Einas Al Kuwari Andrew Jeremijenko Anvar Hassan Kaleeckal Ali Nizar Latif Riyazuddin Mohammad Shaikh Hanan F. Abdul Rahim Gheyath K. Nasrallah Mohamed Ghaith Al Kuwari Adeel A. Butt Hamad Eid Al Romaihi Mohamed H. Al-Thani Abdullatif Al Khal Roberto Bertollini,

},

url = {https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.12.16.21267902v1.full.pdf},

year  = {2022},

date = {2022-01-05},

urldate = {2022-01-05},

journal = {New England Journal of Medicine},

abstract = {BACKGROUND In early 2021, Qatar launched a mass immunization campaign with Moderna’s mRNA-1273 COVID-19 vaccine. We assessed persistence of real-world mRNA-1273 effectiveness against SARS-CoV-2 infection and against COVID-19 hospitalization and death.



METHODS Effectiveness was estimated using test-negative, case-control study design, between January 1 and December 5, 2021. Effectiveness was estimated against documented infection (a PCR-positive swab, regardless symptoms), and against any severe (acute-care hospitalization), critical (ICU hospitalization), or fatal COVID-19.



RESULTS By December 5, 2021, 2,962 breakthrough infections had been recorded among those who received two mRNA-1273 doses. Of these infections, 19 progressed to severe COVID-19 and 4 to critical, but none to fatal disease. mRNA-1273 effectiveness against infection was negligible for the first two weeks after the first dose, increased to 65.5% (95% CI: 62.7-68.0%) 14 or more days after the first dose, and reached its peak at about 90% in the first three months after the second dose. Effectiveness declined gradually starting from the fourth month after the second dose and was below 50% by the 7th month after the second dose. Effectiveness against severe, critical, or fatal COVID-19 reached its peak at essentially 100% right after the second dose, and there was no evidence for declining effectiveness over time. Effectiveness against symptomatic versus asymptomatic infection demonstrated the same pattern of waning, but effectiveness against symptomatic infection was consistently higher than that against asymptomatic infection and waned more slowly.



CONCLUSIONS mRNA-1273-induced protection against infection appears to wane month by month after the second dose. Meanwhile, protection against hospitalization and death appears robust with no evidence for waning for several months after the second dose.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Altarawneh2022,

title = {Protection of prior infection against SARS-CoV-2 reinfection with the Omicron variant},

author = {Heba Altarawneh Hiam Chemaitelly Patrick Tang; Mohammad R. Hasan Suelen Qassim Houssein H. Ayoub Sawsan AlMukdad Hadi M. Yassine Fatiha M. Benslimane Hebah A. Al Khatib Peter Coyle Zaina Al Kanaani Einas Al Kuwari Andrew Jeremijenko Anvar Hassan Kaleeckal Ali Nizar Latif Riyazuddin Mohammad Shaik Hanan F. Abdul Rahim Gheyath K. Nasrallah Mohamed Ghaith Al Kuwari Adeel A. Butt Hamad Eid Al Romaihi Mohamed H. Al-Thani Abdullatif Al Khal Roberto Bertollini Laith J. Abu-Raddad,},

url = {https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2022.01.05.22268782v1},

doi = {https://doi.org/10.1101/2022.01.05.22268782},

year  = {2022},

date = {2022-01-03},

urldate = {2022-01-03},

journal = {New England Journal of Medicine},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{forEpidemiology2021b,

title = {Efficacy of Natural Immunity against SARS-CoV-2 Reinfection with the Beta Variant},

author = {Hiam Chemaitelly Roberto Bertollini Laith J Abu-Raddad National Study Group for COVID-19 Epidemiology},

url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34910864/},

doi = {10.1056/NEJMc2110300.},

year  = {2021},

date = {2021-12-30},

urldate = {2021-12-30},

journal = {New England Journal of Medicine},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Nasrallah2021c,

title = {Comparison of antibody immune responses between BNT162b2 and mRNA-1273 SARS-CoV-2 vaccines in naïve and previously infected individuals},

author = {Duaa W Al-Sadeq Farah M Shurrab Ahmed Ismail Fathima Humaira Amanullah Swapna Thomas Nader Aldewik Hadi M Yassine Hanan F Abdul Rahim Laith Abu-Raddad Gheyath K Nasrallah },

url = {https://academic.oup.com/jtm/article/28/8/taab190/6457951},

doi = {https://doi.org/10.1093/jtm/taab190},

year  = {2021},

date = {2021-12-23},

urldate = {2021-12-23},

journal = {Journal of Travel Medicine},

volume = {28},

abstract = {Background

Two mRNA vaccines, Pfizer-BNT162b2 and Moderna-mRNA-1273, obtained the Emergency Use Listing by WHO for preventing COVID-19. However, little is known about the difference in antibody responses induced by these two mRNA vaccines in naïve and previously infected (PI) individuals.

Method

We investigated the levels of anti-S-RBD (total, IgG and IgA) levels in naïve and PI individuals, 1–13 (median = 6) weeks following the second dose of either vaccine. Results in the naïve-vaccinated group, the mRNA-1273 vaccine induced significantly higher levels of anti-S-RBD total antibodies (3.5-fold; P < 0.001), IgG (2-fold, P < 0.01) and IgA (2.1-fold, P < 0.001) as compared with the BNT162b2 vaccine. In addition, both vaccines produced significantly higher anti-S-RBD total antibody levels in the PI-group compared with naïve-vaccinated group. The PI group elicited a higher level of anti-S-RBD IgG than the naïve-BNT162b2 (P = 0.05), but not more than the naïve-mRNA-1273 (P = 0.9) group. Interestingly, the PI vaccinated group elicited a comparable level of IgA ratio to the naïve-mRNA-1273 group but significantly higher than the naïve-BNT162b2 group (1.6-fold, P < 0.001).

Conclusion

Our results showed that the PI-vaccinated group produces a higher level of antibodies than the naïve vaccinated group, particularly for those vaccinated with BNT162b2.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Nasrallah2021d,

title = {JC-10 probe as a novel method for analyzing the mitochondrial membrane potential and cell stress in whole zebrafish embryos},

author = {Nadin Younes; Bana S Alsahan; Asmaa J Al-Mesaifri; Sahar I Da’as; Gianfranco Pintus; Amin F Majdalawieh; Gheyath K Nasrallah},

url = {https://academic.oup.com/toxres/advance-article-abstract/doi/10.1093/toxres/tfab114/6470972?redirectedFrom=fulltext},

doi = {https://doi.org/10.1093/toxres/tfab114},

year  = {2021},

date = {2021-12-21},

journal = {Toxicology Research},

abstract = {Background

A sensitive method to investigate cellular stress and cytotoxicity is based on measuring mitochondrial membrane potential. Recently, JC-10, was developed to measure mitochondrial membrane potential in vitro and used as an indicator for cytotoxicity. Yet, JC-10 has never been used in vivo (whole organism). In normal cells, JC-10 concentrates in the mitochondrial matrix, where it forms red fluorescent aggregates. However, in apoptotic/necrotic cells, JC-10 diffuses out of the mitochondria, changes to monomeric form, and stains cells in green. Here, we aimed to develop and optimize a JC-10 assay to measure cytotoxicity in zebrafish embryo. We also investigated the effectiveness of JC-10 assay by comparing it to common cytotoxicity assays.

Methods

Zebrafish embryos were exposed to a toxic surfactant AEO-7 at no observed effect concentration (6.4 μg/L), and then cytotoxicity was measured using (i) JC-10 mitochondrial assay, (ii) acridine orange (AO), (iii) TUNEL assay, and (iv) measuring the level of Hsp70 by western blotting.

Results

As compared to the negative control, embryos treated with NOEC of AEO-7 did not show significant cytotoxicity when assessed by AO, TUNEL or western blotting. However, when JC-10 was used under the same experimental conditions, a significant increase of green:red fluorescent ratio signal was detected in the AEO-7 treated embryos, indicating mitochondrial damage and cellular cytotoxicity. Noteworthy, the observed green: red ratio increase was dose dependent, suggesting specificity of the JC-10 assay.

Conclusion

JC-10 is a sensitive in vivo method, thus, can be used as surrogate assay to measure cytotoxicity in whole zebrafish embryos.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{K.Nasrallah2021,

title = {Human Herpes simplex virus-6 (HHV-6) detection and seroprevalence among Qatari nationals and immigrants residing in Qatar},

author = {Duaa W. Al-Sadeq; Hadeel T. Zedan; Nader Aldewik; Alaa Elkhider; Asalet Hicazi; Nadin Younes; Houssein H. Ayoub; Laith AbuRaddad;Hadi M. Yassine; Gheyath K.Nasrallah

},

url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S277270762100045X},

doi = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijregi.2021.12.005},

year  = {2021},

date = {2021-12-16},

journal = {International Journal of Infectious Diseases Regions},

abstract = {Background

HHV-6 is the causative agent of exanthema subitum (ES). Transmission mainly occurs through salivary secretions, yet blood transfusions and organ transplantations were also reported as a route of transmission. Studies of HHV-6 seroprevalence in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region and other parts of Asia are scarce. Therefore, this study aims to estimate the seroprevalence of HHV-6 among healthy blood donors in Qatar.



Methods

A total of 620 healthy blood donors from different nationalities residing in Qatar, mainly from the MENA region and Southeast Asia, were tested using a commercial anti-HHV-6 IgG ELISA kit. In addition, HHV-6 DNA from randomly selected samples was tested and quantified using qRT-PCR.



Results

Anti-HVV-6 IgG was detected in 71.7% (445/620) (95% CI: 68.2-75.3%) of the tested samples, while 24.3% (61/251) (95% CI: 20.0-29.6%) had detectible HHV-6 viremia. Only 22.5% of individuals with positive IgG status had detectable HHV-6 DNA in their blood, indicating a weak association of viremia and IgG positivity (p-value = 0.08). Furthermore, no significant difference was associated between HHV-6 viremia and demographic characteristics, except for the nationalities.



Conclusion

Our results showed that the seroprevalence of HVV-6 in Qatar is relatively similar to what has been reported in other parts of the world.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Bertollin2021,

title = {Introduction and expansion of the SARS-CoV-2 B. 1.1. 7 variant and reinfections in Qatar: A nationally representative cohort study},

author = {Laith J. Abu-Raddad; Hiam Chemaitelly; Houssein H. Ayoub; Peter Coyle; Joel A. Malek; Ayeda A. Ahmed; Yasmin A. Mohamoud; Shameem Younuskunju; Patrick Tang; Zaina Al Kanaani; Einas Al Kuwari; Adeel A. Butt; Andrew Jeremijenko; Anvar Hassan Kaleeckal; Ali Nizar Latif; Riyazuddin Mohammad Shaik; Hanan F. Abdul Rahim; Gheyath K. Nasrallah; Hadi M. Yassine; Mohamed Ghaith Al Kuwari; Hamad Eid Al Romaihi; Mohamed H. Al-Thani; Abdullatif Al Khal; Roberto Bertollin},

url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34914711/},

doi = {10.1371/journal.pmed.1003879},

year  = {2021},

date = {2021-12-16},

journal = {PLoS Medicine},

volume = {18},

number = {12},

abstract = {Background: The epidemiology of the SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7 (or Alpha) variant is insufficiently understood. This study's objective was to describe the introduction and expansion of this variant in Qatar and to estimate the efficacy of natural infection against reinfection with this variant.



Methods and findings: Reinfections with the B.1.1.7 variant and variants of unknown status were investigated in a national cohort of 158,608 individuals with prior PCR-confirmed infections and a national cohort of 42,848 antibody-positive individuals. Infections with B.1.1.7 and variants of unknown status were also investigated in a national comparator cohort of 132,701 antibody-negative individuals. B.1.1.7 was first identified in Qatar on 25 December 2020. Sudden, large B.1.1.7 epidemic expansion was observed starting on 18 January 2021, triggering the onset of epidemic's second wave, 7 months after the first wave. B.1.1.7 was about 60% more infectious than the original (wild-type) circulating variants. Among persons with a prior PCR-confirmed infection, the efficacy of natural infection against reinfection was estimated to be 97.5% (95% CI: 95.7% to 98.6%) for B.1.1.7 and 92.2% (95% CI: 90.6% to 93.5%) for variants of unknown status. Among antibody-positive persons, the efficacy of natural infection against reinfection was estimated to be 97.0% (95% CI: 92.5% to 98.7%) for B.1.1.7 and 94.2% (95% CI: 91.8% to 96.0%) for variants of unknown status. A main limitation of this study is assessment of reinfections based on documented PCR-confirmed reinfections, but other reinfections could have occurred and gone undocumented.



Conclusions: In this study, we observed that introduction of B.1.1.7 into a naïve population can create a major epidemic wave, but natural immunity in those previously infected was strongly associated with limited incidence of reinfection by B.1.1.7 or other variants.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{A.Mahmoud2021,

title = {Screening the growth inhibition mechanism of sulfate reducing bacteria by chitosan/lignosulfonate nanocomposite (CS@ LS) in seawater media},

author = {Kashif Rasool; Ravi P. Pandeya; P Abdul Rasheed; Tricia Gomez; Enas S. Al-Absi; Gheyath K. Nasrallah; Khaled A.Mahmoud},

url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2213343721016018},

doi = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jece.2021.106624},

year  = {2021},

date = {2021-12-12},

journal = {Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering},

volume = {9},

abstract = {Sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRBs) induced biofilm formation is a global industrial concern due to its role in the development of microbial-induced corrosion (MIC). Herein, we have developed a biodegradable chitosan/lignosulfonate nanocomposite (CS@LS) as an efficient green biocide for the inhibition of SRBs biofilms. We investigated in detail the inhibition mechanism of SRBs by CS@LS in seawater media. Stable CS@LS-1:1 with 150–200 nm average size, and zeta potential of + 34.25 mV was synthesized. The biocidal performance of CS@LS was evaluated by sulfate reduction profiles coupled with analysis of extracted extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release assays. As the nanocomposite concentration was increased from 50 to 500 µg/mL, the specific sulfate reduction rate (SSRR) decreased from 0.278 to 0.036 g-sulfate/g-VSS*day showing a relative sulfate reduction inhibition of 86.64% as compared to that of control. Similarly, the specific organic uptake rate (SOUR) decreased from 0.082 to 0.039 0.036 g-TOC/g-VSS*day giving a relative co-substrate oxidation inhibition of 52.19% as compared to that of control. The SRBs spiked with 500 µg/mL CS@LS showed a reduction in cell viability to 1.5 × 106 MPN/mL. To assess the biosafety of the nanocomposite on the marine biota, the 72-hours acute toxicity assays using zebrafish embryo model revealed that the LC50 for the CS@LS was 103.3 µg/mL. Thus, CS@LS can be classified as environment friendly. The nanocomposite showed long-term stability and excellent antibacterial properties against SRBs growth and is thus potentially useful for combating the problems of biofilm growth in harsh marine and aquatic environments.

},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Al-Dewik2021c,

title = {Description of PTPRG genetic variants identified in a cohort of Chronic Myeloid Leukemia patients and their ability to influence response to Tyrosine kinase Inhibitors},

author = {Mohamed A Ismail, Gheyath K Nasrallah, Maria Monne, Ali AlSayab, Mohamed A Yassin, Govindarajulu Varadharaj, Salma Younes, Claudio Sorio, Richard Cook, Helmout Modjtahedi, Nader I Al-Dewik},

url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34906644/},

doi = {10.1016/j.gene.2021.146101},

year  = {2021},

date = {2021-12-12},

journal = {Gene},

volume = {1},

number = {813},

pages = {146101},

abstract = {Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have remarkably transformed Ph+ chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) management; however, TKI resistance remains a major clinical challenge. Mutations in BCR-ABL1 are well studied but fail to explain 20-40% of resistant cases, suggesting the activation of alternative, BCR-ABL1-independent pathways. Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase Receptor Gamma (PTPRG), a tumor suppressor, was found to be well expressed in CML patients responsive to TKIs and remained at low level in resistant patients. In this study, we aimed to identify genetic variants in PTPRG that could potentially modulate TKIs response in CML patients. DNA was extracted from peripheral blood samples collected from two CML cohorts (Qatar and Italy) and targeted exome sequencing was performed. Among 31 CML patients, six were TKI-responders and 25 were TKI-non-responsive. Sequencing identified ten variants, seven were annotated and three were novel SNPs (c.1602_1603insC, c.85+14412delC, and c.2289-129delA). Among them, five variants were identified in 15 resistant cases. Of these, one novel exon variant (c.1602_1603insC), c.841-29C>T (rs199917960) and c.1378-224A>G (rs2063204) were found to be significantly different between the resistant cases compared to responders. Our findings suggest that PTPRG variants may act as an indirect resistance mechanism of BCR-ABL1 to affect TKI treatment.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Abu-Raddad2021f,

title = {Waning of BNT162b2 vaccine protection against SARS-CoV-2 infection in Qatar},

author = {Hiam Chemaitelly; Patrick Tang; Mohammad R. Hasan; Sawsan AlMukdad; Hadi M. Yassine; Fatiha M. Benslimane; Hebah A. Al Khatib; Peter Coyle; Houssein H. Ayoub; Zaina Al Kanaani; Einas Al Kuwari; Andrew Jeremijenko; Anvar Hassan Kaleeckal; Ali Nizar Latif; Riyazuddin Mohammad Shaik; Hanan F. Abdul Rahim; Gheyath K. Nasrallah; Mohamed Ghaith Al Kuwari; Hamad Eid Al Romaihi; Adeel A. Butt; Mohamed H. Al-Thani; Abdullatif Al Khal; Roberto Bertollini; Laith J. Abu-Raddad},

url = {https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2114114},

doi = {DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa2114114},

year  = {2021},

date = {2021-12-09},

journal = {New England Journal of Medicine},

abstract = {BACKGROUND

Waning of vaccine protection against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection or coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) is a concern. The persistence of BNT162b2 (Pfizer–BioNTech) vaccine effectiveness against infection and disease in Qatar, where the B.1.351 (or beta) and B.1.617.2 (or delta) variants have dominated incidence and polymerase-chain-reaction testing is done on a mass scale, is unclear.

METHODS

We used a matched test-negative, case–control study design to estimate vaccine effectiveness against any SARS-CoV-2 infection and against any severe, critical, or fatal case of Covid-19, from January 1 to September 5, 2021.

RESULTS

Estimated BNT162b2 effectiveness against any SARS-CoV-2 infection was negligible in the first 2 weeks after the first dose. It increased to 36.8% (95% confidence interval [CI], 33.2 to 40.2) in the third week after the first dose and reached its peak at 77.5% (95% CI, 76.4 to 78.6) in the first month after the second dose. Effectiveness declined gradually thereafter, with the decline accelerating after the fourth month to reach approximately 20% in months 5 through 7 after the second dose. Effectiveness against symptomatic infection was higher than effectiveness against asymptomatic infection but waned similarly. Variant-specific effectiveness waned in the same pattern. Effectiveness against any severe, critical, or fatal case of Covid-19 increased rapidly to 66.1% (95% CI, 56.8 to 73.5) by the third week after the first dose and reached 96% or higher in the first 2 months after the second dose; effectiveness persisted at approximately this level for 6 months.

CONCLUSIONS

BNT162b2-induced protection against SARS-CoV-2 infection appeared to wane rapidly following its peak after the second dose, but protection against hospitalization and death persisted at a robust level for 6 months after the second dose. (Funded by Weill Cornell Medicine–Qatar and others.)},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Abdulmalik2021,

title = {Antibody Response to SARS-CoV-2: A Cohort Study in Qatar’s Primary Care Settings},

author = {Mohamed Ahmed Syed; Hamda Abdulla Qotba; Ahmed Sameer Al Nuaimi; Gheyath K. Nasrallah; Asmaa Ali J. F. Althani; Abduljaleel Abdullatif Zainel; Hanan Khudadad; Tamara Marji; Shajitha Thekke Veettil; AlAnoud Saleh AlFehaidi; Ameena Ibrahim Yfakhroo; Meshal Abdulla AlMesaifri; Tholfakhar Talib Al-Baghdadi; Hanan Al Mujalli; Samya Ahmad Al Abdulla; Mariam Ali Abdulmalik},

url = {https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/21501327211050569?url_ver=Z39.88-2003&rfr_id=ori%3Arid%3Acrossref.org&rfr_dat=cr_pub++0pubmed&},

doi = {doi: 10.1177/21501327211050569.},

year  = {2021},

date = {2021-12-09},

journal = {Journal of primary care & community health},

abstract = {Background: Globally, countries are rolling out Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) quarantine policies and vaccination programs. Research studies are needed in helping understand the likelihood of acquired immunity to reinfection and identify priority groups for vaccination to inform them. This study aimed to assess period prevalence and longitudinal changes in antibody levels after SARS-CoV-2 infection in Qatari primary care settings.



Methods: A cohort study design with 2 data collection phases was undertaken-Phase 1 (conducted in July 2020) and Phase 2 (conducted in October 2020). A stratified random sampling technique by age, gender and nationality was utilized to identify the study sample. The total sample size required for the study was estimated to be 2102. Participants were invited to an appointment where they were administered a questionnaire and provided samples for polymerase chain reaction and Immunoglobulin G immunoassay tests.



Results: A total of 943 individuals participated in both Phase 1 and Phase 2. In this cohort, seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 was found to be 12% (N = 113) in Phase 1 and 17.2% (N = 162) in Phase 2. Of the 113 participants who were seropositive in Phase 1, 38.1% (CI 29.5-47.2%, N = 43) had a reduction, 54.9% (CI 45.7-63.8%, N = 62) had no change, and 7.1% (CI 3.4-12.9%, N = 8) had an increase in IgG titer in Phase 2. All (N = 18) participants aged 10 to 17 years retained their antibodies. The proportion of men who retained their antibodies was slightly higher compared to women-92.5% (N = 74) and 87.9% (N = 29) respectively. Similarly, symptomatic individuals (97.8%; N = 45) had a higher antibody retention compared with asymptomatic individuals (86.4%; N = 57).



Conclusions: This study provides preliminary information on the longitudinal changes in antibody levels after SARS-CoV-2 infection. These findings will help inform quarantine policies and vaccination programs.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Bertollini2021,

title = {Association of Prior SARS-CoV-2 Infection With Risk of Breakthrough Infection Following mRNA Vaccination in Qatar},

author = {Laith J. Abu-Raddad; Hiam Chemaitelly; Houssein H. Ayoub; Hadi M. Yassine; Fatiha M. Benslimane; Hebah A. Al Khatib; Patrick Tang; Mohammad R. Hasan; Peter Coyle; Zaina Al Kanaani; Einas Al Kuwari; Andrew Jeremijenko; Anvar Hassan Kaleeckal; Ali Nizar Latif; Riyazuddin Mohammad Shaik; Hanan F. Abdul Rahim; Gheyath K. Nasrallah; Mohamed Ghaith Al Kuwari; Adeel A. Butt; MBBS;Hamad Eid Al Romaihi; Mohamed H. Al-Thani; Abdullatif Al Khal; Roberto Bertollini},

url = {https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2785918},

doi = { doi:10.1001/jama.2021.19623},

year  = {2021},

date = {2021-11-16},

journal = {Journal of the American Medical Association},

volume = {326},

number = {19},

abstract = {Importance: The effect of prior SARS-CoV-2 infection on vaccine protection remains poorly understood.



Objective: To assess protection from SARS-CoV-2 breakthrough infection after mRNA vaccination among persons with vs without prior SARS-CoV-2 infection.



Design, setting, and participants: Matched-cohort studies in Qatar for the BNT162b2 (Pfizer-BioNTech) and mRNA-1273 (Moderna) vaccines. A total of 1 531 736 individuals vaccinated with either vaccine between December 21, 2020, and September 19, 2021, were followed up beginning 14 days after receiving the second dose until September 19, 2021.



Exposures: Prior SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 vaccination.



Main outcomes and measures: Incident SARS-CoV-2 infection, defined as a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-positive nasopharyngeal swab regardless of reason for PCR testing or presence of symptoms. Cumulative incidence was calculated using the Kaplan-Meier estimator method.



Results: The BNT162b2-vaccinated cohort comprised 99 226 individuals with and 290 432 matched individuals without prior PCR-confirmed infection (median age, 37 years; 68% male). The mRNA-1273-vaccinated cohort comprised 58 096 individuals with and 169 514 matched individuals without prior PCR-confirmed infection (median age, 36 years; 73% male). Among BNT162b2-vaccinated persons, 159 reinfections occurred in those with and 2509 in those without prior infection 14 days or more after dose 2. Among mRNA-1273-vaccinated persons, 43 reinfections occurred in those with and 368 infections in those without prior infection. Cumulative infection incidence among BNT162b2-vaccinated individuals was an estimated 0.15% (95% CI, 0.12%-0.18%) in those with and 0.83% (95% CI, 0.79%-0.87%) in those without prior infection at 120 days of follow-up (adjusted hazard ratio for breakthrough infection with prior infection, 0.18 [95% CI, 0.15-0.21]; P < .001). Cumulative infection incidence among mRNA-1273-vaccinated individuals was an estimated 0.11% (95% CI, 0.08%-0.15%) in those with and 0.35% (95% CI, 0.32%-0.40%) in those without prior infection at 120 days of follow-up (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.35 [95% CI, 0.25-0.48]; P < .001). Vaccinated individuals with prior infection 6 months or more before dose 1 had statistically significantly lower risk for breakthrough infection than those vaccinated less than 6 months before dose 1 (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.62 [95% CI, 0.42-0.92]; P = .02 for BNT162b2 and 0.40 [95% CI, 0.18-0.91]; P = .03 for mRNA-1273 vaccination).



Conclusions and relevance: Prior SARS-CoV-2 infection was associated with a statistically significantly lower risk for breakthrough infection among individuals receiving the BNT162b2 or mRNA-1273 vaccines in Qatar between December 21, 2020, and September 19, 2021. The observational study design precludes direct comparisons of infection risk between the 2 vaccines.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Abu-Raddad2021f,

title = {BNT162b2 and mRNA-1273 COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness against the SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant in Qatar Nature medicine, 2021},

author = {Patrick Tang; Mohammad R Hasan; Hiam Chemaitelly; Hadi M Yassine; Fatiha M Benslimane; Hebah A Al Khatib; Sawsan AlMukdad; Peter Coyle; Houssein H Ayoub; Zaina Al Kanaani; Einas Al Kuwari; Andrew Jeremijenko; Anvar Hassan Kaleeckal; Ali Nizar Latif; Riyazuddin Mohammad Shaik; Hanan F Abdul Rahim; Gheyath K Nasrallah; Mohamed Ghaith Al Kuwari; Hamad Eid Al Romaihi; Adeel A Butt; Mohamed H Al-Thani; Abdullatif Al Khal; Roberto Bertollini; Laith J Abu-Raddad},

url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34728831/},

doi = {10.1038/s41591-021-01583-4},

year  = {2021},

date = {2021-11-02},

journal = {Nature medicine},

volume = {27},

number = {12},

abstract = {With the global expansion of the highly transmissible SARS-CoV-2 Delta (B.1.617.2) variant, we conducted a matched test-negative case-control study to assess the real-world effectiveness of COVID-19 messenger RNA vaccines against infection with Delta in Qatar's population. BNT162b2 effectiveness against any, symptomatic or asymptomatic, Delta infection was 45.3% (95% CI, 22.0-61.6%) ≥14 d after the first vaccine dose, but only 51.9% (95% CI, 47.0-56.4%) ≥14 d after the second dose, with 50% of fully vaccinated individuals receiving their second dose before 11 May 2021. Corresponding mRNA-1273 effectiveness ≥14 d after the first or second dose was 73.7% (95% CI, 58.1-83.5%) and 73.1% (95% CI, 67.5-77.8%), respectively. Notably, effectiveness against Delta-induced severe, critical or fatal disease was 93.4% (95% CI, 85.4-97.0%) for BNT162b2 and 96.1% (95% CI, 71.6-99.5%) for mRNA-1273 ≥ 14 d after the second dose. Our findings show robust effectiveness for both BNT162b2 and mRNA-1273 in preventing Delta hospitalization and death in Qatar's population, despite lower effectiveness in preventing infection, particularly for the BNT162b2 vaccine.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Al-Dewik2021b,

title = {Incidence, risk factors, and feto-maternal outcomes of inappropriate birth weight for gestational age among singleton live births in Qatar: A population-based study},

author = {Salma Younes; Muthanna Samara; Noor Salama; Rana Al-Jurf; Gheyath Nasrallah; Sawsan Al-Obaidly; Husam Salama; Tawa Olukade; Sara Hammuda; Ghassan Abdoh; Palli Valapila Abdulrouf; Thomas Farrell; Mai AlQubaisi; Hilal Al Rifai; Nader Al-Dewik},

url = {https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0258967},

doi = { 10.1371/journal.pone.0258967},

year  = {2021},

date = {2021-10-28},

journal = {PloS One },

volume = {16},

number = {10},

abstract = {Background: Abnormal fetal growth can be associated with factors during pregnancy and at postpartum.



Objective: In this study, we aimed to assess the incidence, risk factors, and feto-maternal outcomes associated with small-for-gestational age (SGA) and large-for-gestational age (LGA) infants.



Methods: We performed a population-based retrospective study on 14,641 singleton live births registered in the PEARL-Peristat Study between April 2017 and March 2018 in Qatar. We estimated the incidence and examined the risk factors and outcomes using univariate and multivariate analysis.



Results: SGA and LGA incidence rates were 6.0% and 15.6%, respectively. In-hospital mortality among SGA and LGA infants was 2.5% and 0.3%, respectively, while for NICU admission or death in labor room and operation theatre was 28.9% and 14.9% respectively. Preterm babies were more likely to be born SGA (aRR, 2.31; 95% CI, 1.45-3.57) but male infants (aRR, 0.57; 95% CI, 0.4-0.81), those born to parous (aRR 0.66; 95% CI, 0.45-0.93), or overweight (aRR, 0.64; 95% CI, 0.42-0.97) mothers were less likely to be born SGA. On the other hand, males (aRR, 1.82; 95% CI, 1.49-2.19), infants born to parous mothers (aRR 2.16; 95% CI, 1.63-2.82), or to mothers with gestational diabetes mellitus (aRR 1.36; 95% CI, 1.11-1.66), or pre-gestational diabetes mellitus (aRR 2.58; 95% CI, 1.8-3.47) were significantly more likely to be LGA. SGA infants were at high risk of in-hospital mortality (aRR, 226.56; 95% CI, 3.47-318.22), neonatal intensive care unit admission or death in labor room or operation theatre (aRR, 2.14 (1.36-3.22).



Conclusion: Monitoring should be coordinated to alleviate the risks of inappropriate fetal growth and the associated adverse consequences.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Nasrallah2021f,

title = {Is preexisting immunity to seasonal coronaviruses limited to cross-reactivity with SARS-CoV-2? A seroprevalence cross-sectional study in north-eastern France},

author = {Hadeel Zedan; Gheyath K. Nasrallah

},

year  = {2021},

date = {2021-09-01},

journal = {EBioMedicine},

volume = {71},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Bachmann2021,

title = {Neutralization of MERS coronavirus through a scalable nanoparticle vaccine},

author = {Mona O Mohsen; Dominik Rothen; Ina Balke; Byron Martina; Vilija Zeltina; Varghese Inchakalody; Zahra Gharailoo; Gheyath Nasrallah; Said Dermime; Kaspars Tars; Monique Vogel Andris Zeltins; Martin F Bachmann 

},

url = {https://www.nature.com/articles/s41541-021-00365-w#citeas},

year  = {2021},

date = {2021-08-24},

journal = {npj vaccines },

volume = {107},

abstract = {MERS-CoV continues to cause human outbreaks, so far in 27 countries worldwide following the first registered epidemic in Saudi Arabia in 2012. In this study, we produced a nanovaccine based on virus-like particles (VLPs). VLPs are safe vaccine platforms as they lack any replication-competent genetic material, and are used since many years against hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis E virus (HEV) and human papilloma virus (HPV). In order to produce a vaccine that is readily scalable, we genetically fused the receptor-binding motif (RBM) of MERS-CoV spike protein into the surface of cucumber-mosaic virus VLPs. The employed CuMVTT-VLPs represent a new immunologically optimized vaccine platform incorporating a universal T cell epitope derived from tetanus toxin (TT). The resultant vaccine candidate (mCuMVTT-MERS) is a mosaic particle and consists of unmodified wild type monomers and genetically modified monomers displaying RBM, co-assembling within E. coli upon expression. mCuMVTT-MERS vaccine is self-adjuvanted with ssRNA, a TLR7/8 ligand which is spontaneously packaged during the bacterial expression process. The developed vaccine candidate induced high anti-RBD and anti-spike antibodies in a murine model, showing high binding avidity and an ability to completely neutralize MERS-CoV/EMC/2012 isolate, demonstrating the protective potential of the vaccine candidate for dromedaries and humans.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Nasrallah2021g,

title = {Can commercial automated immunoassays be utilized to predict neutralizing antibodies after SARS-CoV-2 infection? A comparative study between three different assays},

author = {Ahmed Ismail; Farah M Shurrab; Hadeel T Al-Jighefee; Duaa W Al-Sadeq; Hamda Qotba; Ibrahim Abdu Al-Shaar; Hadi M Yassine; Laith J Abu-Raddad; Gheyath K Nasrallah},

url = {https://www.fbscience.com/Landmark/articles/pdf/Landmark4934.pdf},

year  = {2021},

date = {2021-08-10},

journal = {[Frontiers in Bioscience-Landmark},

volume = {70},

abstract = {Background: High-throughput assays that can in- fer neutralizing activity against SARS-CoV-2 are of great importance for assessing the immunity induced by natural infection and COVID-19 vaccines. We aimed to evaluate the performance and degree of correlation of three fully automated anti-SARS-CoV-2 immunoassays with neutral- ization activity using a surrogate virus-neutralizing test (sVNT) from GenScript, targeting the receptor-binding do- main. Methods: 110 sera collected from PCR-confirmed asymptomatic COVID-19 individuals were tested for neu- tralizing antibodies (nAbs) using the sVNT. Positive sam- ples were tested on three automated immunoassays target- ing different viral antigens: Mindray CL-900i®, Abbott Ar- chitect, and Ortho VITROS®. The diagnostic sensitivity, specificity, agreement, and correlation with the sVNT were assessed. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed to determine optimal thresholds for predicting the presence of neutralizing activity by each as- say. Results: All three assays showed 100% specificities. The highest sensitivity was 99.0%, demonstrated by VIT- ROS®, followed by 94.3%, for CL-900i®, and 81.0%, for Architect. Both VITROS® and CL-900i® had the strongest correlation with the sVNT (ρ = 0.718 and ρ = 0.712, re- spectively), while Architect showed a moderate correlation (ρ = 0.618). ROC curve analysis indicated that the manu- facturer’s recommended cutoff values are adequate for pre- dicting the presence of nAbs and providing a strong cor- relation with the sVNT. Conclusion: VITROS® and CL- 900i® serological assays, which detect antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, could serve as reliable assays to predict neutralization activity after infection or vaccina- tion.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Nasrallah2021h,

title = {Effect of multiple freeze–thaw cycles on the detection of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies},

author = {Farah M Shurrab; Duaa W Al-Sadeq; Fathima Amanullah; Salma N Younes; Hadeel Al-Jighefee; Nadin Younes; Soha R Dargham; Hadi M Yassine; Laith J Abu Raddad; Gheyath K Nasrallah

},

url = {https://www.microbiologyresearch.org/content/journal/jmm/10.1099/jmm.0.001402},

year  = {2021},

date = {2021-08-06},

journal = {Journal of Medical Microbiology },

volume = {70},

abstract = {Several studies have investigated the effect of repeated freeze–thaw (F/T) cycles on RNA detection for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). However, no data are available regarding the effect of repeated F/T cycles on SARS-CoV-2 antibody detection in serum. We investigated the effect of multiple F/T cycles on anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG detection using an ELISA test targeting the nucleocapsid antibodies. Ten positive and 1 negative SARS-CoV-2 IgG sera from 11 participants, in replicates of 5, were subjected to a total of 16 F/T cycles and stored at 4 °C until tested by ELISA. Statistical analysis was performed to test for F/T cycle effect. None of the 10 positive sera became negative after 16 F/T cycles. There was no significant difference in the OD average reading between the first and last F/T cycles, except for one serum with a minimal decline in the OD. The random effect linear regression of log (OD) on the number of cycles showed no significant trend, with a slope consistent with zero (B=−0.0001; 95 % CI −0.0008; 0.0006; P-value=0.781). These results suggest that multiple F/T cycles had no effect on the ability of the ELISA assay to detect SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Bertollini2021b,

title = {Severity, Criticality, and Fatality of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Beta Variant},

author = {Laith J Abu-Raddad; Hiam Chemaitelly; Houssein H Ayoub; Hadi M Yassine; Fatiha M Benslimane; Hebah A Al Khatib; Patrick Tang; Mohammad R Hasan; Peter Coyle; Sawsan AlMukdad; Zaina Al Kanaani; Einas Al Kuwari; Andrew Jeremijenko; Anvar Hassan Kaleeckal; Ali Nizar Latif; Riyazuddin Mohammad Shaik; Hanan F Abdul Rahim; Gheyath K Nasrallah; Mohamed Ghaith Al Kuwari; Adeel A Butt; Hamad Eid Al Romaihi; Mohamed H Al-Thani; Abdullatif Al Khal; Roberto Bertollini},

year  = {2021},

date = {2021-08-04},

journal = {Clinical Infectious Diseases},

abstract = {Severity (acute-care hospitalization), criticality (ICU hospitalization), and fatality of SARS-CoV-2 Beta (B.1.351) variant was investigated through case-control studies applied to complete national cohorts of infection, disease, and death cases in Qatar. Compared to Alpha (B.1.1.7) variant, odds of progressing to severe disease were 1.24-fold (95% CI: 1.11-1.39) higher for Beta. Odds of progressing to critical disease were 1.49-fold (95% CI: 1.13-1.97) higher. Odds of COVID-19 death were 1.57-fold (95% CI: 1.03-2.43) higher. Findings highlight risks to healthcare systems, particularly to intensive care facilities and resources, with increased circulation of Beta.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Bertollini2021c,

title = {Effect of vaccination and of prior infection on infectiousness of vaccine breakthrough infections and reinfections},

author = {Laith J. Abu-Raddad; Hiam Chemaitelly; Houssein H. Ayoub; Patrick Tang; Peter Coyle; Mohammad R. Hasan; Hadi M. Yassine; Fatiha M. Benslimane; Hebah A. Al Khatib; Zaina Al Kanaani; Einas Al Kuwari; Andrew Jeremijenko; Anvar Hassan Kaleeckal; Ali Nizar Latif; Riyazuddin Mohammad Shaik; Hanan F. Abdul Rahim; Gheyath K. Nasrallah; Mohamed Ghaith Al Kuwari; Adeel A. Butt; Hamad Eid Al Romaihi; Abdullatif Al Khal; Mohamed H. Al-Thani; Roberto Bertollini},

year  = {2021},

date = {2021-07-30},

journal = {Nature Communication},

abstract = {SARS-CoV-2 breakthrough infections in vaccinated individuals and in those who had a prior infection have been observed globally, but the transmission potential of these infections is unknown. The RT-qPCR cycle threshold (Ct) value is inversely correlated with viral load and culturable virus. Here, we investigated differences in RT-qPCR Ct values across Qatar’s national cohorts of primary infections, reinfections, BNT162b2 (Pfizer-BioNTech) breakthrough infections, and mRNA-1273 (Moderna) breakthrough infections. Through matched-cohort analyses of the randomly diagnosed infections, the mean Ct value was higher in all cohorts of breakthrough infections compared to the cohort of primary infections in unvaccinated individuals. The Ct value was 1.3 (95% CI: 0.9-1.8) cycles higher for BNT162b2 breakthrough infections, 3.2 (95% CI: 1.8-4.5) cycles higher for mRNA-1273 breakthrough infections, and 4.0 (95% CI: 3.4-4.6) cycles higher for reinfections in unvaccinated individuals. Assuming a linear relationship between viral load and infectiousness, these differences imply that breakthrough infections are at least 50% less infectious than primary infections in unvaccinated individuals. Public health benefits of vaccination may have been underestimated, as COVID-19 vaccines not only protect against acquisition of infection, but also appear to protect against transmission of infection.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Abu-Raddad2021e,

title = {mRNA-1273 COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness against the B.1.1.7 and B.1.351 variants and severe COVID-19 disease in Qatar},

author = {Hiam Chemaitelly; Hadi M. Yassine; Fatiha M. Benslimane; Hebah A. Al Khatib; Patrick Tang; Mohammad R. Hasan; Joel A. Malek; Peter Coyle; Houssein H. Ayoub; Zaina Al Kanaani; Einas Al Kuwari; Andrew Jeremijenko; Anvar Hassan Kaleeckal; Ali Nizar Latif; Riyazuddin Mohammad Shaik; Hanan F. Abdul Rahim; Gheyath K. Nasrallah; Mohamed Ghaith Al Kuwari; Hamad Eid Al Romaihi; Mohamed H. Al-Thani; Abdullatif Al Khal; Adeel A. Butt; Roberto Bertollini; Laith J. Abu-Raddad },

url = {https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-021-01446-y},

year  = {2021},

date = {2021-07-09},

journal = {Nature Medicine},

volume = {27},

abstract = {The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic continues to be a global health concern. The mRNA-1273 (Moderna) vaccine was reported to have an efficacy of 94.1% at preventing symptomatic COVID-19 due to infection with ‘wild-type’ variants in a randomized clinical trial. Here, we assess the real-world effectiveness of this vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern, specifically B.1.1.7 (Alpha) and B.1.351 (Beta), in Qatar, a population that comprises mainly working-age adults, using a matched test-negative, case-control study design. We show that vaccine effectiveness was negligible for 2 weeks after the first dose, but increased rapidly in the third and fourth weeks immediately before administration of a second dose. Effectiveness against B.1.1.7 infection was 88.1% (95% confidence interval (CI): 83.7–91.5%) ≥14 days after the first dose but before the second dose, and was 100% (95% CI: 91.8–100.0%) ≥14 days after the second dose. Analogous effectiveness against B.1.351 infection was 61.3% after the first dose (95% CI: 56.5–65.5%) and 96.4% after the second dose (95% CI: 91.9–98.7%). Effectiveness against any severe, critical or fatal COVID-19 disease due to any SARS-CoV-2 infection (predominantly B.1.1.7 and B.1.351) was 81.6% (95% CI: 71.0–88.8%) and 95.7% (95% CI: 73.4–99.9%) after the first and second dose, respectively. The mRNA-1273 vaccine is highly effective against B.1.1.7 and B.1.351 infections, whether symptomatic or asymptomatic, and against any COVID-19 hospitalization and death, even after a single dose.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Abdulmalik2021,

title = {Epidemiology of SARS-CoV2 in Qatar’s primary care population aged 10 years and above},

author = {Mohamed Ahmed Syed; Ahmed Sameer Al Nuaimi; Hamda Abdulla A/Qotba; Gheyath K. Nasrallah; Asmaa A. Althani; Hadi M. Yassine; Abduljaleel Abdullatif Zainel; Hanan Khudadad; Tamara Marji; Shajitha Thekke Veettil; Hadeel T. Al-Jighefee; Salma Younes; Farah Shurrab; Duaa W. Al-Sadeq; Al Anoud Saleh AlFehaidi; Ameena Ibrahim Yfakhroo; Meshal Abdulla AlMesaifri; Hanan Al Mujalli, Samya Ahmad Al Abdulla; Mohamed Ghaith Al Kuwari; Faruk Mohammed Azad; Badria Ali Mohamed Al Malki; Mariam Ali Abdulmalik },

url = {https://bmcinfectdis.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12879-021-06251-z},

year  = {2021},

date = {2021-07-05},

journal = {BMC Infectious Diseases},

volume = {21},

abstract = {Abstract

Background

There is an urgent need to elucidate the epidemiology of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV2) and characterize its potential impact. Investing in characterising the SARS-CoV2 will help plan and improve the response to the pandemic. Furthermore, it will help identify the most efficient ways of managing the pandemic, avoiding public health policies and interventions that may be unduly restrictive of normal activity or unnecessarily costly. This paper describes the design and reports findings of a population based epidemiological study undertaken to characterise SARS-CoV2 in Qatar using limited resources in a timely manner.



Methods

Asymptomatic individuals ≥10 years registered with Qatar’s publicly funded primary health provider were eligible. A stratified random sampling technique was utilized to identify the study sample. Participants were invited to an appointment where they completed a questionnaire and provided samples for polymerase chain reaction and Immunoglobulin M and G immunoassay tests. Data collected were analyzed to calculate point and period prevalence by sociodemographic, lifestyle and clinical characteristics.



Results

Of 18,918 individuals invited for the study, 2084 participated (response rate 10.8%). The overall point prevalence and period prevalence were estimated to be 1.6% (95% CI 1.1–2.2) and 14.6% (95% CI 13.1–16.2) respectively. Period prevalence of SARS-CoV2 infection was not considerably different across age groups (9.7–19.8%). It was higher in males compared to females (16.2 and 12.7% respectively). A significant variation was observed by nationality (7.1 to 22.2%) and municipalities (6.9–35.3%).



Conclusions

The study provides an example of a methodologically robust approach that can be undertaken in a timely manner with limited resources. It reports much-needed epidemiological data about the spread of SARS-CoV2. Given the low prevalence rates, majority of the population in Qatar remains susceptible. Enhanced surveillance must continue to be in place, particularly due to the large number of asymptomatic cases observed. Robust contact tracing and social distancing measures are key to prevent future outbreaks.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Al-Tahtamouni2021,

title = {Eco-friendly highly efficient BN/rGO/TiO2 nanocomposite visible-light photocatalyst for phenol mineralization},

author = {Shekhah Al-Kandar; Aboubakr M Abdullah; Halema Al-Kandari; Gheyath K Nasrallah; Mohammed A Sharaf; Douaa S AlMarzouq; Ahmed M Mohamed; Nadin Younes; Nada Kafour; Talal Al-Tahtamouni},

url = {https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs11356-021-15083-y},

year  = {2021},

date = {2021-07-02},

journal = {Environmental Science and Pollution Research },

abstract = {Boron nitride (BN) and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) of different loadings were composited with commercial P25 TiO2 (Ti) through the hydrothermal method. The as-prepared nanocomposites were characterized using various techniques: X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, thermal gravimetric analysis, Fourier transform infrared and Raman spectroscopies, and transmission and scanning electron microscopies. It was observed that 10% and 0.1% of BN and rGO, respectively, loaded on TiO2 (10BNr0.1GOTi) resulted in the best nanocomposite in terms of phenol degradation under simulated sunlight. A 93.4% degradation of phenol was obtained within 30 min in the presence of H2O2. Finally, to ensure the safe use of BNrGOTi nanoparticles in the aquatic environment, acute zebrafish toxicity (acutoxicity) assays were studied. The 96-h acute toxicity assays using the zebrafish embryo model revealed that the LC50 for the BNrGOTi nanoparticle was 677.8 mg L−1 and the no observed effect concentration (NOEC) was 150 mg L−1. Therefore, based on the LC50 value and according to the Fish and Wildlife Service Acute Toxicity Rating Scale, BNrGOTi is categorized as a “practically not toxic” photocatalyst for water treatment.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}