Browsing by Author "Mendez, Constanza"

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    Differential Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2-Specific Humoral Response in Inactivated Virus-Vaccinated, Convalescent, and Breakthrough-Infected Subjects
    (OXFORD UNIV PRESS INC, 2023) Duarte Peñaloza, Luisa Fernanda; Vazquez Hernandez Yaneisi; Diethelm Varela, Benjamin Manuel; Pavez, Valentina; Berrios-Rojas, Roslye; Riedel, Claudia A.; Mendez, Constanza; White, Jessica A.; Kalergis Parra, Alexis Mikes; Bueno Ramírez, Susan Marcela; González Muñoz, Pablo Alberto
    Background. We sought to identify potential antigens for discerning between humoral responses elicited after vaccination with CoronaVac (a severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 [SARS-CoV-2] inactivated vaccine), natural infection, or breakthrough infection., Methods. Serum samples obtained from volunteers immunized with CoronaVac (2 and 3 doses), breakthrough case patients, and from convalescent individuals were analyzed to determine the immunoglobulin (Ig) G responses against 3 structural and 8 nonstructural SARS-CoV-2 antigens., Results. Immunization with CoronaVac induced higher levels of antibodies against the viral membrane (M) protein compared with convalescent subjects both after primary vaccination and after a booster dose. Individuals receiving a booster dose displayed equivalent levels of IgG antibodies against the nucleocapsid (N) protein, similar to convalescent subjects. Breakthrough case patients produced the highest antibody levels against the N and M proteins. Antibodies against nonstructural viral proteins were present in >50% of the convalescent subjects., Conclusions. Vaccinated individuals elicited a different humoral response compared to convalescent subjects. The analysis of particular SARS-CoV-2 antigens could be used as biomarkers for determining infection in subjects previously vaccinated with CoronaVac.
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    Excess weight and gastrointestinal symptoms in Chilean celiac patients at the time of diagnosis
    (2019) Parada, Alejandra C.; Mendez, Constanza; Aguirre, Carolina
    Introduction: celiac disease is an immune condition that results in histologic changes in the small bowel and produces both digestive and extra-digestive symptoms. Intestinal damage results in malabsorption and impaired weight or impaired optimal weight gain. However, these patients may be overweight or obese in spite of histologic damage. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of excess weight in newly diagnosed (adult) celiac patients.
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    Statistical explanation of the protective effect of four COVID-19 vaccine doses in the general population
    (2023) Reyes, Humberto; Mendez, Constanza; Kalergis, Alexis M.
    Objectives: To assess the effectiveness of four doses of the vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 in the general population and the impact of this on the severity of the disease by age group. Methods: By using data from the health authority public data base, we build statistical models using R and the GAMLSS library to explain the behavior of new SARS-CoV-2 infections, active COVID-19 cases, ICU bed requirement total and by age group, and deaths at the national level. Results: The four doses of vaccine and at least the interaction between the first and second doses were important explanatory factors for the protective effect against COVID-19. The R-2 for new cases per day was 0.5644 and for occupied ICU beds the R-2 is 0.9487. For occupied ICU beds for >70 years R-2 is 0.9195 and with the interaction between 4 doses as the main factor. Conclusions: Although the increase in the number of vaccine doses did not adequately explain the decrease in the number of COVID-19 cases, it explained the decrease in ICU admissions and deaths nationwide and by age group.