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Vaccines
Special Issues
Challenges to SARS-CoV-2 Vaccines: Infection, Variants, Reinfection
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Challenges to SARS-CoV-2 Vaccines: Infection, Variants, Reinfection

A special issue of Vaccines (ISSN 2076-393X). This special issue belongs to the section "COVID-19 Vaccines and Vaccination".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 December 2023) | Viewed by 23566

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Charles Brandon Stauft

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD 20993, USA
Interests: vaccine research and development; coronavirus pathogenesis; coronavirus immunology; SARS-CoV-2 host interaction; SARS-CoV-2 evolution; synthetic virology; reverse genetics

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

COVID-19 continues to evade our efforts to develop an effective and long-lasting vaccine. Emerging variants have evolved to become more transmissible and to evade host immune responses. Re-infection threatens convalescent and vaccinated patients, with continued risk of illness and transmission to susceptible populations. Despite these challenges, revolutions in vaccine development and regulatory review have resulted in the wide distribution of effective vaccines in record time. SARS-CoV-2, the etiologic agent of COVID-19, continues to be subjected to intense research as the pandemic continues. This Special Issue aims to highlight recent innovations and basic research into how SARS-CoV-2 variants affect pathogenesis, transmission, and re-infection. 

To further our understanding of the effects of SARS-CoV-2 evolution on pathogenesis and vaccine efficacy, we are soliciting contributions of original research papers to this Special Issue of MDPI Vaccines. Authors are encouraged to submit work on novel vaccine platforms and designs that have the potential combat SARS-CoV-2 infection variants, pathology, and transmission. Insights into the molecular mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2 immune evasion are also welcome.

Dr. Charles Brandon Stauft
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Vaccines is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • SARS-CoV-2
  • COVID-19
  • variants of concern
  • pathogenesis
  • reinfection
  • vaccines

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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22 pages, 3870 KiB  
Article
Changes in the Adaptive Cellular Repertoire after Infection with Different SARS-CoV-2 VOCs in a Cohort of Vaccinated Healthcare Workers
by Sara Caldrer, Silvia Accordini, Cristina Mazzi, Natalia Tiberti, Michela Deiana, Andrea Matucci, Eleonora Rizzi, Stefano Tais, Fabio Filippo, Matteo Verzè, Paolo Cattaneo, Gian Paolo Chiecchi, Concetta Castilletti, Massimo Delledonne, Federico Gobbi and Chiara Piubelli
Vaccines 2024, 12(3), 230; https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines12030230 - 23 Feb 2024
Viewed by 1118
Abstract
Background: Currently approved vaccines are highly effective in protecting against hospitalization and severe COVID-19 infections. How pre-existing immunity responds to new variants with mutated antigens is crucial information for elucidating the functional interplay between antibodies and B and T cell responses during infection [...] Read more.
Background: Currently approved vaccines are highly effective in protecting against hospitalization and severe COVID-19 infections. How pre-existing immunity responds to new variants with mutated antigens is crucial information for elucidating the functional interplay between antibodies and B and T cell responses during infection with new SARS-CoV-2 variants. Methods: In this study, we monitored the dynamics and persistence of the immune response versus different SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern that emerged during the pandemic period (2021–2022) in a cohort of vaccinated healthcare workers, who experienced breakthrough infection in the Pre-Delta, Delta, and Omicron waves. We evaluated both the humoral and cell-mediated responses after infection. We also evaluated the anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies levels produced by infection in comparison with those produced after vaccination. Results: Our results highlighted that the immune response against the Delta VOC mainly involved an adaptive humoral and switched memory B cells component, even 3 months after the last vaccine dose, conversely showing a high percentage of depleted adaptive T cells. Omicron infections triggered a consistent production of non-vaccine-associated anti-N antibodies, probably to balance the spike epitope immune escape mechanisms. Conclusion: Our results suggest a direct dependence between the VOC and different humoral and B and T cell balances in the post-infection period, despite the administration of a different number of vaccine doses and the elapsed time since the last vaccination. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Challenges to SARS-CoV-2 Vaccines: Infection, Variants, Reinfection)
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11 pages, 932 KiB  
Article
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Reinfection Rates in Malawi: A Possible Tool to Guide Vaccine Prioritisation and Immunisation Policies
by Master R. O. Chisale, Frank Watson Sinyiza, Paul Uchizi Kaseka, Chikondi Sharon Chimbatata, Balwani Chingatichifwe Mbakaya, Tsung-Shu Joseph Wu, Billy Wilson Nyambalo, Annie Chauma-Mwale, Ben Chilima, Kwong-Leung Joseph Yu and Alfred Bornwell Kayira
Vaccines 2023, 11(7), 1185; https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines11071185 - 30 Jun 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1418
Abstract
As the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic continues, reports indicate that the global vaccination rate is still far below the target. Understanding the levels of reinfection may help refocus and inform policymakers on vaccination. This retrospective study in Malawi included individuals and patients [...] Read more.
As the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic continues, reports indicate that the global vaccination rate is still far below the target. Understanding the levels of reinfection may help refocus and inform policymakers on vaccination. This retrospective study in Malawi included individuals and patients who tested for COVID-19 infections via reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (rt-PCR) from the data at the Public Health Institute of Malawi (PHIM). We included all data in the national line list from April 2020 to March 2022. Upon review of 47,032 records, 45,486 were included with a reported 82 (0.18) reinfection representing a rate of 0.55 (95% CI: 0.44–0.68) per 100,000 person-days of follow-up. Most reinfections occurred in the first 90 to 200 days following the initial infection, and the median time to reinfection was 175 days (IQR: 150–314), with a range of 90–563 days. The risk of reinfection was highest in the immediate 3 to 6 months following the initial infection and declined substantially after that, and age demonstrated a significant association with reinfection. Estimating the burden of SARS-CoV-2 reinfections, a specific endurance of the immunity naturally gained, and the role played by risk factors in reinfections is relevant for identifying strategies to prioritise vaccination. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Challenges to SARS-CoV-2 Vaccines: Infection, Variants, Reinfection)
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Review

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62 pages, 1425 KiB  
Review
Biological Properties of SARS-CoV-2 Variants: Epidemiological Impact and Clinical Consequences
by Reem Hoteit and Hadi M. Yassine
Vaccines 2022, 10(6), 919; https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines10060919 - 9 Jun 2022
Cited by 27 | Viewed by 4444
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a virus that belongs to the coronavirus family and is the cause of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). As of May 2022, it had caused more than 500 million infections and more than 6 million deaths [...] Read more.
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a virus that belongs to the coronavirus family and is the cause of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). As of May 2022, it had caused more than 500 million infections and more than 6 million deaths worldwide. Several vaccines have been produced and tested over the last two years. The SARS-CoV-2 virus, on the other hand, has mutated over time, resulting in genetic variation in the population of circulating variants during the COVID-19 pandemic. It has also shown immune-evading characteristics, suggesting that vaccinations against these variants could be potentially ineffective. The purpose of this review article is to investigate the key variants of concern (VOCs) and mutations of the virus driving the current pandemic, as well as to explore the transmission rates of SARS-CoV-2 VOCs in relation to epidemiological factors and to compare the virus’s transmission rate to that of prior coronaviruses. We examined and provided key information on SARS-CoV-2 VOCs in this study, including their transmissibility, infectivity rate, disease severity, affinity for angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptors, viral load, reproduction number, vaccination effectiveness, and vaccine breakthrough. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Challenges to SARS-CoV-2 Vaccines: Infection, Variants, Reinfection)
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Other

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10 pages, 1641 KiB  
Case Report
Death from COVID-19 in a Fully Vaccinated Subject: A Complete Autopsy Report
by Massimiliano Esposito, Giuseppe Cocimano, Fabrizio Vanaria, Francesco Sessa and Monica Salerno
Vaccines 2023, 11(1), 142; https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines11010142 - 9 Jan 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 16078
Abstract
A correctly implemented and widely accepted vaccination campaign was the only truly effective weapon to reduce mortality and hospitalizations related to COVID-19. However, it was not 100% effective and has not eliminated COVID-19. Even though more than 60% of the worldwide population is [...] Read more.
A correctly implemented and widely accepted vaccination campaign was the only truly effective weapon to reduce mortality and hospitalizations related to COVID-19. However, it was not 100% effective and has not eliminated COVID-19. Even though more than 60% of the worldwide population is fully vaccinated (meaning that these subjects have completed the recommended vaccine cycle), subjects continue to die from COVID-19, particularly in the presence of comorbidities. In this scenario, autopsies play a crucial role in understanding the pathophysiological mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2 in vaccinated subjects and adapting therapies accordingly. This case report analyzes the death of a fully vaccinated patient who suffered from comorbidities and died from COVID-19; we provide a complete autopsy data set. On microscopic examination, the lungs showed massive interstitial pneumonia, areas of inflammation with interstitial lympho-plasma cell infiltrate, and interstitial edema. The liver showed granulocytes within the hepatic parenchyma. All these elements were consistent with previous published data on unvaccinated patients who had died from COVID-19. The present study is the first that analyzes, through a complete autopsy and a microscopic analysis of all organs, a death related to COVID-19 despite vaccine administration. In this regard, to the best of our knowledge, no other studies have been published reporting a complete autopsy. This study reports, on the one hand, the importance of vaccination programs in the fight against COVID-19, and, on the other hand, it hypothesizes that the vaccine does not offer complete immunity to SARS-CoV-2, particularly in elderly subjects with comorbidities. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Challenges to SARS-CoV-2 Vaccines: Infection, Variants, Reinfection)
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