Systematic review of the serology assays used in COVID-19 seroprevalence surveys
A systematic review carried out by the CITF-funded SeroTracker team, published in Vaccines, concluded that third-party or independent evaluations of serology test performance found that manufacturers report slightly higher sensitivity and specificity of their serological assays targeting SARS-CoV-2.
Validation of new tool to detect SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater
A CITF-funded study, published in Science of the Total Environment, reported a new method for molecular detection and quantification of SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater. Wastewater surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 has become a promising tool for estimating population-level changes in community infections, including the changing prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Cis-heteronormativity in health directives had negative effects for gay, bisexual, and queer men (GBQM) during COVID-19 pandemic
A CITF-funded study, published in Critical Public Health, reported that COVID-19 public health interventions based on cis-heteronormative sociality negatively affected the sense of belonging and identity formation of gay, bisexual, and queer men (GBQM) in Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver.
COVID-19 vaccines are safe and offer protection against hospitalization for solid organ transplant recipients
A CITF-funded study, published in Open Forum Infectious Diseases, found that for solid organ transplant recipients (SOTRs), COVID-19 vaccines are safe, induce high levels of SARS-CoV-2 receptor binding domain (RBD) following a third dose (in most SOTRs), and offer protection from hospitalization.
Antibody-mediated responses to RSV waned during the peak of implementation of COVID-19 mitigation measures
A CITF-funded study, published in the Journal of the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society, showed that specific antibody immune characteristics previously linked to more severe respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections waned among women of childbearing age in 2020-2021.
Two COVID-19 vaccine doses were well-tolerated, safe and highly immunogenic
A CITF-funded study, published in BMJ Open, offers yet more evidence that COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective. The study looked at the initial two COVID-19 vaccine doses and found they were safe, well-tolerated, and highly immunogenic across a broad spectrum of vaccine recipients, including those working in public-facing environments.
Dried blood spots can successfully be used to study immune SARS-CoV-2 vaccine responses in older people
A CITF-funded study, published in the Journal of Community Medicine and Public Health, highlighted that using self-collected dried blood spot (DBS) samples to assess the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine responses in older people is feasible and offers acceptable results.
Two and three COVID-19 mRNA vaccine doses enhance T cell immune responses in older adults
A CITF-funded study, published in Pathogens and Immunity, found that adults 65 years and older show strong CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell responses after receiving two COVID-19 mRNA vaccine doses, which increased significantly after the third dose.
Seroprevalence due to SARS-CoV-2 infection among unvaccinated youth was highest among babies and young adults
A CITF-funded study, published as a preprint and not yet peer-reviewed, found that the highest seropositivity rates among unvaccinated youth were among children under four years old and young adults aged 20-24.