During the ongoing COVID-19 epidemic many efforts have gone into the investigation of the SARS-CoV-2–specific antibodies as possible therapeutics. Currently, conclusions cannot be drawn due to the lack of standardization in antibody assessments. Here we describe an approach of establishing antibody characterisation in emergent times which would, if followed, enable comparison of results from different studies. The key component is a reliable and reproducible assay of wild-type SARS-CoV-2 neutralisation based on a banking system of its biological components - a challenge virus, cells and an anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody in-house standard, calibrated to the First WHO International Standard immediately upon its availability. Consequently, all collected serological data were retrospectively expressed in an internationally comparable way. The neutralising antibodies (NAbs) among convalescents ranged from 4 to 2869 IU mL-1 in a significant positive correlation to the disease severity. Their decline in convalescents was on average 1.4-fold in a one-month period. Heat-inactivation resulted in 2.3-fold decrease of NAb titres in comparison to the native sera, implying significant complement activating properties of SARS-CoV-2 specific antibodies. The monitoring of NAb titres in the sera of immunocompromised COVID-19 patients that lacked their own antibodies evidenced the successful transfusion of antibodies by the COVID-19 convalescent plasma units with NAb titres of 35 IU mL-1 or higher.

Asthma is the most common respiratory disease. It has multiple phenotypes thatcan be partially differentiated by measuring the disease’s specific characteristics—biomarkers. The pathogenetic mechanisms are complex, and it is still a challenge to choose suitable biomarkers to adequately stratify patients, which became especially important with the introduction of biologicals in asthma treatment. Usage of biomarkers and an understanding of the underlying pathobiological mechanisms lead to the definition of endotypes. Asthma can be broadly divided into two endotypes, T2-high and T2-low. The right combination of various biomarkers in different phenotypes is under investigation, hoping to help researchers and clinicians in better disease evaluation since theindividual approach and personalized medicine are imperative. Multiple biomarkers are superior to a single biomarker.

Objectives The patients with hematological malignancies are a vulnerable group to COVID-19, due to the immunodeficiency resulting from the underlying disease and oncological treatment that significantly impair cellular and humoral immunity. Here we report on a beneficial impact of a passive immunotherapy with convalescent plasma to treat a prolonged, active COVID-19 infection in a patient with a history of nasopharyngeal diffuse large B-cell lymphoma treated with the therapy inducing substantial impairment of particularly humoral arm of immune system. The specific aim was to quantify SARS-CoV2 neutralizing antibodies in a patient plasma during the course of therapy. Materials and methods Besides the standard of care treatment and monitoring, neutralizing antibody titers in patient's serum samples, calibrated according to the First WHO International Standard for anti-SARS-CoV-2 immunoglobulin (human), were quantified in a time-dependent manner. During the immunotherapy period peripheral blood flow cytometry immunophenotyping was conducted to characterize lymphocyte subpopulations. Results The waves of clinical improvements and worsening coincided with transfused neutralizing antibodies rises and drops in the patient's systemic circulation, proving their contribution in controlling the disease progress. Besides the patient's lack of own humoral immune system, immunophenotyping analysis revealed also the reduced level of helper T-lymphocytes and immune exhaustion of monocytes. Conclusion Therapeutic approach based on convalescent plasma transfusion transformed a prolonged, active COVID-19 infection into a manageable chronic disease.

Aspergillosis includes a group of disorders caused by Aspergillus species that affect the respiratory system most commonly. The clinical spectrum of respiratory aspergillosis is divergent. Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis is a result of hypersensitivity to Aspergillus antigens. Although it is known for many years, pathogenesis is not entirely clarified and there are no exact diagnostic criteria. The results are diagnostic delay, incompletely known management that can cause serious disability. Keywords: allergic; bronchopulmonary; aspergilosis; asthma.

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