Publications by authors named "Natalie J Thornburg"
In April 2024, following the annual International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV) ratification vote on newly proposed taxa, the phylum was expanded by 1 new order, 1 new family, 6 new subfamilies, 34 new genera and 270 new species. One class, two orders and six species were renamed. Seven families and 12 genera were moved; ten species were renamed and moved; and nine species were abolished.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAssociation of infection-induced antibody levels with risk of subsequent SARS-COV-2 reinfection among healthcare professionals, Rhode Island, 1 March 2020-17 February 2021.
Jianrong Shi
,
M Gayle Gabriel
,
Monica Epperson
,
Phil A Chan
,
Jefferson M Jones
,
Natalie J Thornburg
Microbiol Spectr
April 2025
Numerous studies have investigated vaccine-induced correlates of protection (CoP) against severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, but data on infection-induced CoP are limited. Given differences between vaccine- and infection-induced immune responses, in conjunction with low vaccination in many US populations, a better understanding of infection-induced CoP is needed. We used residual sera from a mid-2020 Rhode Island serosurvey of healthcare professionals (HCP) and corresponding state-collected SARS-CoV-2 testing data through February 2021 to generate an analytic cohort of HCP with a first SARS-CoV-2 infection prior to serosurvey blood collection and multiple viral tests after blood collection to assess for reinfection (defined as a positive viral test ≥90 days after their first positive).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFImportance: During the 2023-2024 respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) season in the United States, 2 new RSV prevention products were recommended to protect infants in their first RSV season: nirsevimab and Pfizer's maternal RSV vaccine. Postlicensure studies are needed to assess prevention product impact and effectiveness.
Objective: To compare the epidemiology and disease burden of medically attended RSV-associated acute respiratory illness (ARI) among children younger than 5 years during the 2023-2024 RSV season with 3 prepandemic RSV seasons (2017-2020), estimate nirsevimab effectiveness against medically attended RSV-associated ARI, and compare nirsevimab binding site mutations among circulating RSV in infants with and without nirsevimab receipt.
Genomic Surveillance for SARS-CoV-2 Variants: Circulation of Omicron XBB and JN.1 Lineages - United States, May 2023-September 2024.
Kevin C Ma
,
Juan Castro
,
Anastasia S Lambrou
,
Erica Billig Rose
,
Peter W Cook
,
Natalie J Thornburg
MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep
October 2024
Article Synopsis
- The CDC is monitoring the evolution of SARS-CoV-2, particularly the Omicron variant and its offspring, using national genomic surveillance data from May 2023 to September 2024.
- During this period, descendants of the Omicron variants, especially XBB and JN.1, emerged and became prevalent, with several lineages showing immune escape traits.
- The rise of the JN.1 variant led to a significant increase in COVID-19 cases during winter 2024, underscoring the need for ongoing genomic monitoring to inform vaccine development and public health strategies.*
Article Synopsis
- mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccines, like Moderna's, are effective in reducing severe COVID-19 outcomes and have been studied for their immune responses, but less is known about antibody presence in saliva and mucosal fluids.
- A study involving 203 CDC staff members was conducted to analyze the salivary immune response by collecting saliva samples before and after vaccination, focusing on specific antibodies (IgA and IgG) against SARS-CoV-2.
- Results showed that salivary IgA levels peaked shortly after each vaccine dose, while IgG levels increased after the first dose, peaked after the second, and remained elevated for at least two months; however, more research is needed for long-term antibody tracking beyond this period.
Article Synopsis
- * The CDC's National SARS-CoV-2 Strain Surveillance (NS3) program analyzed SARS-CoV-2 samples to understand the evolution of these variants and their spike mutations from May 2021 to February 2023.
- * The study found that some subvariants have significantly evaded neutralizing antibodies from post-vaccination sera, indicating a need for ongoing research to evaluate the effectiveness of current vaccines and inform future updates.
Article Synopsis
- The study focused on the immune response to SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 vaccination among 37 nursing home residents, highlighting the importance of this high-risk group.
- Researchers measured antibody levels and memory B cell responses to evaluate the impact of vaccinations and infections over time.
- Results indicated that while vaccination boosts the immune response, there is a decline in antibody levels over time, and individuals who get infected after vaccination show lower antibody levels compared to those who remain uninfected.
Article Synopsis
- SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19, was identified in 2019 and has led to a significant global health crisis.
- The study evaluated the effectiveness of various serological tests for detecting SARS-CoV-2 specific antibodies, including in-house ELISA and commercial assays, using samples from confirmed COVID-19 patients and a control group.
- All tests showed high sensitivity (95.4-96.6%) and diagnostic accuracy, but the researchers emphasized the need for independent evaluations to enhance the interpretation of serological test results.
Background: The endemic coronaviruses OC43, HKU1, NL63, and 229E cause cold-like symptoms and are related to SARS-CoV-2, but their natural histories are poorly understood. In a cohort of children followed from birth to 4 years, we documented all coronavirus infections, including SARS-CoV-2, to understand protection against subsequent infections with the same virus (homotypic immunity) or a different coronavirus (heterotypic immunity).
Methods: Mother-child pairs were enrolled in metropolitan Cincinnati during the third trimester of pregnancy in 2017-2018.
Article Synopsis
- Prolonged SARS-CoV-2 infections may pose a risk for the development of mutated variants, particularly in immunocompromised individuals, but the specific types of immunosuppressive conditions that increase this risk have not been extensively studied.
- A study conducted across five US medical centers involved 150 immunocompromised patients to identify factors contributing to extended SARS-CoV-2 infections through regular testing and genetic sequencing.
- Results showed that patients with B-cell dysfunction and those who had solid organ transplants or HIV had longer durations of infection compared to those with autoimmune conditions, indicating varying risks based on the type of immunosuppression.
Early Detection and Surveillance of the SARS-CoV-2 Variant BA.2.86 - Worldwide, July-October 2023.
Anastasia S Lambrou
,
Erin South
,
Eliza S Ballou
,
Clinton R Paden
,
James A Fuller
,
Natalie J Thornburg
MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep
October 2023
Article Synopsis
- * The CDC utilizes various surveillance methods, including genomic analysis and wastewater sampling, to monitor and track the spread of these variants.
- * BA.2.86 was first reported in Israel in August 2023 and has since been identified in multiple U.S. states and at least 32 countries, emphasizing the need for ongoing monitoring and research on its public health impact.
Article Synopsis
- The study focused on prolonged SARS-CoV-2 infections in immunocompromised patients, aiming to identify which types of immunosuppression might lead to longer infections and increased viral mutations.
- Conducted at five hospitals, the research enrolled 150 adults with various immunocompromising conditions and monitored their nasal specimens for changes in viral presence and mutations over several months.
- Results indicated that while prolonged infections were rare, individuals with infections lasting over 56 days developed unique spike mutations not commonly found in the broader population, highlighting the risk of viral evolution in these patients.
Article Synopsis
- In April 2023, the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV) approved changes to the phylum's classification during their annual vote.
- The update included the addition of one new family, 14 new genera, and 140 new species.
- Additionally, the taxonomy featured the renaming of two genera and 538 species, along with the removal of one species and the abolition of four others.
Article Synopsis
- The U.S. Nationwide Blood Donor Seroprevalence Study tracked SARS-CoV-2 antibody levels from July 2020 to December 2021, adapting testing methods as vaccine uptake increased and pandemic conditions changed.* -
- The study assessed the effectiveness of the Ortho anti-nucleocapsid (NC) test as a substitute for the Roche NC test, finding high agreement in results and confirming that most specimens provided consistent reactivity.* -
- Overall, the use of parallel testing on both Roche and Ortho platforms demonstrated high efficiency and agreement, making it valuable for large-scale seroprevalence studies that monitor the spread of COVID-19.*
Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection Among Hospitalized Infants in Four Middle-Income Countries.
Holly M Biggs
,
Eric A F Simões
,
Ilham Abu Khader
,
Mark G Thompson
,
Aubree Gordon
,
Natalie J Thornburg
J Pediatric Infect Dis Soc
July 2023
Article Synopsis
- A study conducted between 2015-2017 analyzed the prevalence and severity of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in hospitalized infants under one year old in Albania, Jordan, Nicaragua, and the Philippines.
- Of the 3634 hospitalized infants, 31% tested positive for RSV, with severe illness linked to factors like younger age and low weight-for-age.
- The findings suggest that targeting young infants for RSV prevention could help reduce hospitalizations for acute illness in middle-income countries, where nearly a third of such cases were associated with the virus.
Article Synopsis
- A survey of U.S.-based infectious disease physicians in March 2022 explored their perspectives on the clinical application of SARS-CoV-2 antibody tests during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- *Out of nearly 1,900 surveyed, 40% responded; most had ordered antibody tests and felt comfortable interpreting results, primarily for diagnosing post-COVID conditions and identifying prior infections.
- *There is a recognized need for clearer guidelines from professional societies and government agencies to enhance the appropriate use of these antibody tests in clinical settings.*
Article Synopsis
- SARS-CoV-2 RNA levels, specifically total nucleocapsid (N) and subgenomic N (sgN), are commonly used indicators of how infectious someone with COVID-19 might be, but the influence of various host factors and virus variants on these levels was uncertain.
- Researchers analyzed RNA levels in samples from over 3,200 hospitalized COVID-19 patients using RT-qPCR, examining how factors like time of sampling, virus variant, age, and vaccination impacted the RNA viral load.
- Results indicated that RNA levels varied primarily by the type of SARS-CoV-2 variant and timing of symptom onset, but not based on patient age or vaccination, suggesting that subgenomic RNA measurements may not provide significant additional
Spike Gene Target Amplification in a Diagnostic Assay as a Marker for Public Health Monitoring of Emerging SARS-CoV-2 Variants - United States, November 2021-January 2023.
Heather M Scobie
,
Akilah R Ali
,
Philip Shirk
,
Zachary R Smith
,
Prabasaj Paul
,
Natalie J Thornburg
MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep
February 2023
Article Synopsis
- * The Alpha variant, which emerged in late 2020, featured a S-gene deletion leading to a testing anomaly called S-gene target failure (SGTF).
- * Recently, the XBB.1.5 sublineage with S-gene target presence (SGTP) has emerged, showing rapid growth in the northeastern U.S. during the dominance of the Omicron BA.5 variants exhibiting SGTF.
Background: Data on antibody kinetics are limited among individuals previously infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). From a cohort of healthcare personnel and other frontline workers in 6 US states, we assessed antibody waning after messenger RNA (mRNA) dose 2 and response to dose 3 according to SARS-CoV-2 infection history.
Methods: Participants submitted sera every 3 months, after SARS-CoV-2 infection, and after each mRNA vaccine dose.
Article Synopsis
- Sero-surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 across 51 U.S. jurisdictions assessed infection-induced antibodies in over 1.4 million serum samples to understand undetected infections compared to reported cases.
- The study found that seroprevalence increased significantly from 8% in November 2020 to 58% in February 2022, revealing that many infections were missed by traditional case reporting.
- Notable disparities were observed in the ratios of seroprevalence to case prevalence, particularly during the spread of the Omicron variant and the availability of at-home testing, highlighting regional variations during winter 2021-2022.
Article Synopsis
- * It was expanded to include two new families, 41 new genera, and 98 new species, along with reclassifications for 349 species.
- * The article details the updated taxonomy of Negarnaviricota, including corrections of misspelled names for seven species.
Longitudinal serologic and viral testing post-SARS-CoV-2 infection and post-receipt of mRNA COVID-19 vaccine in a nursing home cohort-Georgia, October 2020‒April 2021.
Farrell A Tobolowsky
,
Michelle A Waltenburg
,
Erin D Moritz
,
Melia Haile
,
Juliana C DaSilva
,
Natalie J Thornburg
PLoS One
October 2022
Article Synopsis
- * Out of 11 participants, the majority showed strong antibody responses post-infection, with 90% having detectable antibodies and 67% testing positive for the virus initially.
- * After vaccination, all participants maintained detectable antibodies, with significantly higher IgG levels compared to infection alone, suggesting vaccination enhances protection in previously infected residents.
Article Synopsis
- This study aimed to evaluate how effective COVID-19 vaccines, both with and without booster doses, are at preventing hospital admissions due to the omicron variant in the U.S.
- Conducted in 18 hospitals, the research involved 4,760 adults diagnosed with respiratory symptoms, half of whom had confirmed COVID-19, allowing for a comparison between vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals based on their COVID-19 vaccine status.
- Results showed that vaccine effectiveness varied: for immunocompetent patients, receiving a primary series plus two boosters had a 63% effectiveness, one booster had 65%, whereas a primary series alone was only 37% effective against hospitalization due to COVID-19.
Household characteristics associated with surface contamination of SARS-CoV-2 and frequency of RT-PCR and viral culture positivity-California and Colorado, 2021.
Talya Shragai
,
Caroline Pratt
,
Joaudimir Castro Georgi
,
Marisa A P Donnelly
,
Noah G Schwartz
,
Natalie J Thornburg
PLoS One
October 2022
Article Synopsis
- A January-April 2021 study analyzed surface samples from 124 households with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infections, finding 27.8% of the samples were positive for the virus using RT-PCR testing.
- Nightstands and pillows were the surfaces most frequently contaminated with the virus.
- Despite the presence of SARS-CoV-2 on various surfaces, viable virus was detected in only 0.2% of samples, indicating that the risk of transmission via surfaces in households is low.