Researchers propose new SNP-PCR for subtyping SARS-CoV-2 and its variants
CITF-funded researchers have published a short letter in Clinical Microbiology and Infection proposing a complementary approach, known as SNP-PCR, as a front-line diagnostic approach. SNP-PCR is based on the detection of minor targeted genomic variations among SARS-CoV-2 variants (also known as single nucleotide polymorphisms).
Self-reported COVID-19 vaccination status highly accurate among Québec residents
A CITF-funded study, published in JMIR Public Health Surveillance, found that self-reported COVID-19 vaccination status, when compared with the Québec Vaccination Registry as a reference standard, was accurate in 96% of cases.
Canadian dentists reported low rates of psychological distress early in the COVID-19 pandemic
A CITF-funded study, published in Journal of Dental Research, reported low rates of psychological distress symptoms among Canadian dentists early in the COVID-19 pandemic. Researchers did find that there was modest positive association between dentists’ stress levels, as measured through saliva hormone cortisol testing, and the number of COVID-19 cases in Canada.
The risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection among school staff was no greater than community infection risk after the first wave of Omicron infections in BC
A CITF-funded study, published in BMJ Open, found that despite frequent COVID-19 exposures, SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence among school staff in the Vancouver area remained no greater than in the community reference group.
Third and fourth vaccine doses improve immunity to SARS-CoV-2 in adults with IMIDs
A CITF-funded study, published in The Journal of Immunology, demonstrates that third and fourth doses of vaccine sustain and broaden immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 in adults with immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (IMIDs).
People vaccinated against COVID-19 are more likely to neutralize Omicron than unvaccinated individuals
A CITF-funded study, published in Microbiology Spectrum, found that vaccinated donors, regardless of infection status, were more likely than unvaccinated donors to neutralize Omicron when assessed by a plaque reduction neutralization (PRNT50) assay.
Almost 80% of Canadian blood donors have infection-acquired antibodies against SARS-CoV-2
The latest CITF-funded seroprevalence report from Canadian Blood Services showed that approximately 80% of adult blood donors had infection-acquired seroprevalence in April, which is slightly higher than in March (78.8%). Younger donors (ages 17-24) continued to have the highest seroprevalence compared to other age groups.
The number of women who start getting COVID-19 vaccines after pregnancy remains low compared to the general population of women.
A CITF-funded study, published in Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics, found that among women who gave birth in Ontario in 2021, 63.7% remained unvaccinated at the end of pregnancy. By June 30, 2022, almost two-thirds (65%) had initiated COVID-19 vaccination.
Seroprevalence due to infection in blood donors also stabilized in March
The latest CITF-funded seroprevalence report from Canadian Blood Services showed that infection-acquired seroprevalence among Canadian adult blood donors was stable between February and March (78.7% in March, compared to 77.6% in February).