Seroprevalence due to infection was 79.6% in May, similar to April
The latest CITF-funded seroprevalence report from Canadian Blood Services shows that approximately 79.6% of adult blood donors had infection-acquired seroprevalence in May, which is similar to April (79.4%).
Hybrid immunity protects against cell-to-cell spread of SARS-CoV-2
A CITF-funded study, published in JCI Insight, showed that hybrid immunity (resulting from having both an infection and vaccination) confers greater protection against cell-to-cell spread of SARS-CoV-2 than vaccination alone.
Lessons learned from monitoring T cell responses to SARS-CoV-2 infection and vaccination
A CITF-funded study that presented results at the CITF Scientific Meeting in Vancouver found that T cells are an important part of the immune response, working along with antibodies to respond effectively to SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Omicron breakthrough infection induces superior mucosal and humoral immunity to SARS-CoV-2 variants than booster vaccination
A CITF-funded study that presented results at the CITF scientific meeting in Vancouver, found that an Omicron breakthrough infection (an infection after a full vaccine series) induces a stronger overall immune response than booster vaccination alone. Both mucosal and humoral immunity contribute to the overall immune response to SARS-CoV-2.
SARS-CoV-2 seroepidemiologic studies need to improve reporting
A CITF-funded study, published in preprint and not yet peer-reviewed, found that the reporting of SARS-CoV-2 seroepidemiologic studies needs improvement, particularly in providing adequately detailed information about laboratory methods. Researchers showed that there was a median adherence to reporting items of 48% per study, as evaluated via the Reporting of Seroepidemiologic studies—SARS-CoV-2 (ROSES-S) guideline.
Sustained IFN signaling is associated with delayed development of SARS-CoV-2-specific immunity
A CITF- and CIHR-funded study, published in preprint and not yet peer-reviewed, found that SARS-CoV-2-infected patients experiencing high, sustained interferon signaling have a delayed generation of Spike-specific CD4+ T cells and RBD-specific B cells.
Three vaccine doses are important for optimal protection against SARS-CoV-2 infection in older people with HIV
A CITF-funded study, published in preprint and not yet peer-reviewed, found older people living with HIV require at least three doses of COVID-19 vaccines to maximize immune responses against SARS-CoV-2.
The COVID-19 Anxiety Syndrome Scale is valid for assessing anxiety in Canadian dentists
A CITF-funded study, published in Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, found that the COVID-19 Anxiety Syndrome scale (C-19ASS) is a valid and reliable instrument to measure COVID-19-related anxiety among Canadian dentists, whether used in English or French.
Virtual care technologies during the COVID-19 pandemic changed how healthcare was received among Canadian gay, bisexual and queer men
A CITF-funded study, published in Sociology of Health and Illness, discovered that virtual care (healthcare at home using mainly telephone consultations) not only helps with delivering and receiving medical care but also brings about changes in the ways that people interact and provide care.