Conventional wisdom says that if youre vaccinated and you get a breakthrough infection with the coronavirus, you can transmit that infection to someone else and make that person sick.
But new evidence suggests that even though that may happen on occasion, breakthrough infections might not represent the threat to others that scientists originally thought.
Ross Kedl, an immunologist at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, will point out to anyone who cares to listen that basic immunology suggests the virus of a vaccinated person who gets infected will be different from the virus of an infected unvaccinated person.
Thats because vaccinated people have already made antibodies to the coronavirus. Even if those antibodies dont prevent infection, they still should be coating that virus with antibody and therefore helping prevent excessive downstream transmission, Kedl says. And a virus coated with antibodies wont be as infectious as a virus not coated in antibodies.
In Provincetown, Mass., this summer, a lot of vaccinated people got infected with the coronavirus, leading many to assume that this was an example of vaccinated people with breakthrough infections giving their infection to other vaccinated people.
Kedl isnt convinced.
In all these cases where you have these big breakthrough infections, theres always unvaccinated people in the room, he says.
In a recent study from Israel of breakthrough infections among health care workers, the researchers report that in all 37 case patients for whom data were available regarding the source of infection, the suspected source was an unvaccinated person.
Its hard to prove that an infected vaccinated person actually was responsible for transmitting their infection to someone else.
I have seen no one report actually trying to trace whether or not the people who were vaccinated who got infected are downstream and certainly only could be downstream of another vaccinated person, Kedl says.
Theres new laboratory evidence supporting Kedls supposition. Initially, most vaccine experts predicted that mRNA vaccines like the ones made by Pfizer and Moderna that are injected into someones arm muscle would generate only the kinds of antibodies that circulate throughout the body.
But that might not be the whole story.
I think what was the big surprise here is that the mRNA vaccines are going beyond that, says Michal Caspi Tal, until recently an instructor at Stanford Universitys Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine and now a visiting scientist at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
What Tal has found is that in addition to the circulating antibodies, there was a surprisingly large amount of antibodies in mucosal membranes in the nose and mouth, two of the primary entry points for the coronavirus.
Immunologist Jennifer Gommerman of the University of Toronto found this as well.
This is the first example where we can show that a local mucosal immune response is made, even though the person got the vaccine in an intramuscular delivery, Gommerman says.
If there are antibodies in the mucosal membranes, they would likely be coating any virus that got into the nose or throat. So any virus that was exhaled by a sneeze or a cough would likely be less infectious.
Gommerman says that until now, it seemed likely that a vaccine that was delivered directly to the mucosal tissue was the only way to generate antibodies in the nose or throat.
Obviously a mucosal vaccination would be great too. But at least were not sitting ducks, Gommerman says. Otherwise everyone would be getting breakthrough infection.
Now, these studies by Gommerman and Tal have yet to undergo peer review, and some have already suggested that the antibodies they have described may not confer true mucosal immunity.
But theres other evidence that a vaccinated persons breakthrough infection may not transmit efficiently to others.
Marion Pepper, an immunologist at the University of Washington, says a recent study from the Netherlands looked at how well virus from vaccinated people could infect cells in the lab.
Pepper says the answer was not well.
If you actually isolate virus from people who are getting a secondary infection after being vaccinated, that virus is less good at infecting cells, Pepper says. Its not known why. Is it covered with an antibody? Maybe. Has it been hit by some other kind of immune mediators, cytokines, things like that? Maybe. Nobody really knows. But the virus does seem to be less viable coming from a vaccinated person.
More studies are emerging that suggest theres something different about the virus coming from a vaccinated person, something that may help prevent transmission.
Whatever it is, the University of Colorados Kedl says its one more reason that getting vaccinated is a good idea.
Because youre going to be even more protected yourself. And youre going to be better off protecting other people.
Kedl says thats what you call a win-win situation.
See the original post here:
Breakthrough infections might not be a big transmission risk. Heres the evidence. - WBEZ
- Glossary [Stem Cell Information] [Last Updated On: August 23rd, 2014] [Originally Added On: August 23rd, 2014]
- Stem Cell Transplant, Bone Marrow Transplant | Health ... [Last Updated On: August 23rd, 2014] [Originally Added On: August 23rd, 2014]
- Our Physicians - Colorado Cell Surgical Network [Last Updated On: August 25th, 2014] [Originally Added On: August 25th, 2014]
- Northern Colorado Spine Surgeon Successfully Performs ... [Last Updated On: September 6th, 2014] [Originally Added On: September 6th, 2014]
- NASA Spaceline Current Awareness List #619 10 October 2014 [Last Updated On: October 11th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 11th, 2014]
- Stem Cell Therapy-Denver and Ft. Collins Colorado-CROM [Last Updated On: October 19th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 19th, 2014]
- Nasal cells help paralyzed man make history by walking [Last Updated On: October 23rd, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 23rd, 2014]
- Stem Cell Transplant | Health | Patient.co.uk [Last Updated On: October 27th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 27th, 2014]
- Running keeps you young: Study [Last Updated On: November 27th, 2014] [Originally Added On: November 27th, 2014]
- Co-author of controversial acid STAP stem cell papers in ... [Last Updated On: December 12th, 2014] [Originally Added On: December 12th, 2014]
- Mutations Need Help From Evolution to Cause Cancer [Last Updated On: December 19th, 2014] [Originally Added On: December 19th, 2014]
- Report on remission in patients with MS 3 Years after stem cell transplant [Last Updated On: December 30th, 2014] [Originally Added On: December 30th, 2014]
- Report on remission in patients with MS three years after stem cell transplant [Last Updated On: December 30th, 2014] [Originally Added On: December 30th, 2014]
- "Frozen Zoo" is some species' last hope for survival [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2015]
- Frozen Zoo holds key to survival for some species [Last Updated On: February 13th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 13th, 2015]
- Stem Cell Therapies [Last Updated On: February 14th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 14th, 2015]
- Survival for some endangered species hinges on Frozen Zoo [Last Updated On: February 17th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 17th, 2015]
- Libertyville soldier's funeral brings remembrance, awareness [Last Updated On: March 22nd, 2015] [Originally Added On: March 22nd, 2015]
- Give LIVE Concert Benefits Bonfils, Marrow Donation [Last Updated On: March 26th, 2015] [Originally Added On: March 26th, 2015]
- CU researchers: Brain activity boosts processes that promote neural connections [Last Updated On: April 7th, 2015] [Originally Added On: April 7th, 2015]
- Daily Digest: The horse stem cell fix is in for Colorado ... [Last Updated On: May 6th, 2015] [Originally Added On: May 6th, 2015]
- Lakewood Colorado Stem Cell Research | Lakewood CO Stem ... [Last Updated On: June 20th, 2015] [Originally Added On: June 20th, 2015]
- Colorado Springs man: Experimental stem-cell procedure ... [Last Updated On: July 2nd, 2015] [Originally Added On: July 2nd, 2015]
- Stem Cell Therapy | Colorado | Premier Stem Cell Institute [Last Updated On: July 2nd, 2015] [Originally Added On: July 2nd, 2015]
- Stem Cell | Anseth Research Group - University of Colorado ... [Last Updated On: August 24th, 2015] [Originally Added On: August 24th, 2015]
- Stem Cell Clinics List | Stem Cells Freak [Last Updated On: September 25th, 2015] [Originally Added On: September 25th, 2015]
- Faqs, What Are Stem Cells, What Is Stem Cell Research [Last Updated On: September 25th, 2015] [Originally Added On: September 25th, 2015]
- Regenerative Medicine - Colorado Clinic [Last Updated On: October 9th, 2015] [Originally Added On: October 9th, 2015]
- Keystone Symposia Stem Cells and Cancer [Last Updated On: November 2nd, 2015] [Originally Added On: November 2nd, 2015]
- Injecting the Heart With Stem Cells Helps Chest Pain - ABC ... [Last Updated On: November 5th, 2015] [Originally Added On: November 5th, 2015]
- PRP and Stem Cells More Patient Information [Last Updated On: August 6th, 2016] [Originally Added On: August 6th, 2016]
- Adult Stem Cells Help Ease Arthritis - Stem Cell Research [Last Updated On: August 11th, 2016] [Originally Added On: August 11th, 2016]
- Stem Cell Treatments | Stem Cell Therapy Colorado [Last Updated On: September 13th, 2016] [Originally Added On: September 13th, 2016]
- 8th European Immunology Conference June 29-July 01, 2017 ... [Last Updated On: October 4th, 2016] [Originally Added On: October 4th, 2016]
- What Is Stem Cell Therapy - ThriveMD Vail & Denver, Colorado [Last Updated On: February 1st, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 1st, 2017]
- Frontiers in Stem Cells & Regeneration - mbl.edu [Last Updated On: February 5th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 5th, 2017]
- Repairing the Nervous System with Stem Cells | stemcells ... [Last Updated On: February 5th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 5th, 2017]
- California woman with rare cancer to conquer world's highest free-standing mountain - Fox News [Last Updated On: February 11th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 11th, 2017]
- Students play key biomedical research role in space | CU Boulder ... - CU Boulder Today [Last Updated On: February 19th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 19th, 2017]
- Students play key biomedical research role in space - Space Daily [Last Updated On: February 19th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 19th, 2017]
- A Giant Leap for Stem Cells - Technology Networks [Last Updated On: February 23rd, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 23rd, 2017]
- Artificial blood: the quest for one of science's holy grails - Stat - STAT [Last Updated On: March 5th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 5th, 2017]
- Stem Cell Therapy - Premier Regenerative Stem Cell [Last Updated On: March 5th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 5th, 2017]
- New gene therapy for cancer shows promise in major test - Colorado Springs Gazette [Last Updated On: March 5th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 5th, 2017]
- Mountain Town News: Mice invades houses as Sierra copes with water - Summit Daily News [Last Updated On: March 12th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 12th, 2017]
- Houston Methodist IDs immune pathway that promotes tissue ... - FierceBiotech [Last Updated On: March 12th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 12th, 2017]
- Lactate May Drive Cancer Development | Worldhealth.net Anti ... - Anti Aging News [Last Updated On: March 25th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 25th, 2017]
- Bradfo Sho, Ep. 19: Being Drew Pomeranz - WEEI.com [Last Updated On: March 25th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 25th, 2017]
- Northern Colorado Doctor Researching New Treatment Options ... - Benzinga [Last Updated On: March 25th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 25th, 2017]
- UC Anschutz startup gets $6M boost to fight disease with stem cells - BusinessDen [Last Updated On: April 5th, 2017] [Originally Added On: April 5th, 2017]
- Northern Colorado Doctor Exploring New Non-Surgical Methods for Treating Neck Pain - Benzinga [Last Updated On: April 5th, 2017] [Originally Added On: April 5th, 2017]
- Northern Colorado Surgeon Releases Three Year Results of Bone Marrow Stem Cell Treatment - PR Web (press release) [Last Updated On: April 5th, 2017] [Originally Added On: April 5th, 2017]
- Australian of the Year Alan Mackay-Sim on the advantage of being 'an interested scientist' - The Sydney Morning Herald [Last Updated On: April 9th, 2017] [Originally Added On: April 9th, 2017]
- Climbing mountains for cancer research - The Wilton Bulletin [Last Updated On: April 20th, 2017] [Originally Added On: April 20th, 2017]
- Overcoming Opioids: The quest for less addictive drugs - Colorado Springs Gazette [Last Updated On: April 20th, 2017] [Originally Added On: April 20th, 2017]
- Stem Cell Transplants May Work for MS, Study Says - LWW Journals (blog) [Last Updated On: April 20th, 2017] [Originally Added On: April 20th, 2017]
- 'Priming' protein boosts stem cell response to injury, promotes healing - FierceBiotech [Last Updated On: April 20th, 2017] [Originally Added On: April 20th, 2017]
- Is Autologous Heamatopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Still Viable for MS? - LWW Journals [Last Updated On: May 19th, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 19th, 2017]
- Chattanooga Student Surprised to be a Gift of Life Donor - WDEF News 12 [Last Updated On: May 24th, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 24th, 2017]
- Giraffe 'sneakers' in use at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo! - KKTV 11 News [Last Updated On: May 24th, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 24th, 2017]
- For the first time ever, researchers produced lab-grown blood stem cells - Colorado Springs Gazette [Last Updated On: May 24th, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 24th, 2017]
- How a simple cheek swab can save a life - FOX31 Denver [Last Updated On: June 4th, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 4th, 2017]
- Ground broken on new $US65 million facility at Colorado State University - Horsetalk [Last Updated On: June 4th, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 4th, 2017]
- SpaceX to launch CU-built heart, bone health experiments to space station - CU Boulder Today [Last Updated On: June 4th, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 4th, 2017]
- Translational Medicine Institute launched at Colorado State University - Source [Last Updated On: June 4th, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 4th, 2017]
- What happens when scientists leave their labs to experiment with politics? - Los Angeles Times [Last Updated On: June 21st, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 21st, 2017]
- Regenexx: injections soon will replace orthopedic surgery - Broomfield Enterprise [Last Updated On: June 21st, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 21st, 2017]
- 'Little Frankenstein,' conceived so Minnesota doctors could save sister, is now a happy teen - Minneapolis Star Tribune [Last Updated On: June 25th, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 25th, 2017]
- Top Stem Cell Therapy Clinic in Vail & Denver, Colorado ... [Last Updated On: September 25th, 2017] [Originally Added On: September 25th, 2017]
- Stem Cell Therapy - Colorado Springs Orthopedics [Last Updated On: October 14th, 2017] [Originally Added On: October 14th, 2017]
- Stem Cell PRP Therapy | Colorado Stem Cell Therapy [Last Updated On: June 18th, 2018] [Originally Added On: June 18th, 2018]
- Stem Cell Therapy Denver Colorado - Colorado Rehabilitation [Last Updated On: June 18th, 2018] [Originally Added On: June 18th, 2018]
- Stem Cell Therapy in Colorado | Aspen Integrative Medicine [Last Updated On: June 23rd, 2018] [Originally Added On: June 23rd, 2018]
- Pepsi: Aborted Baby Cells in Drink Research | Colorado ... [Last Updated On: July 15th, 2018] [Originally Added On: July 15th, 2018]
- In Depth About Regenerative Therapy | Regen Colorado [Last Updated On: July 25th, 2018] [Originally Added On: July 25th, 2018]
- Stem Cell Therapy | Spine & Joint Solutions - Colorado Springs [Last Updated On: July 29th, 2018] [Originally Added On: July 29th, 2018]
- Colorado Stem Cell Therapy | Home [Last Updated On: October 1st, 2018] [Originally Added On: October 1st, 2018]
- FAQ | Colorado Stem Cell Therapy [Last Updated On: October 1st, 2018] [Originally Added On: October 1st, 2018]
- Stem Cell Fraud | Colorado Stem Cell Therapy [Last Updated On: November 23rd, 2018] [Originally Added On: November 23rd, 2018]
- Using Stem Cells to Treat Sepsis - Stem Cell Centers, Colorado [Last Updated On: November 28th, 2018] [Originally Added On: November 28th, 2018]