Efficacy,immunogenicity, and safety of available vaccines in children on biologics: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Vaccinations are essential for preventing infectious diseases in children with chronic diseases as they have increased risk of infection from frequent use of biologics. Response to immunizations in this group is not well known.ObjectiveA systematic review was performed to evaluate three primary outcomes: efficacy; immunogenicity; and safety of vaccines in children with chronic conditions treated with biologics.MethodsThe protocol for our systematic review and meta-analysis was registered and published with PROSPERO. We searched electronic bibliographic databases for studies published from 2009 to 2019, focusing on vaccinations in children with chronic conditions treated with biologics.ResultsWe retrieved 532 records. Thirty-one full-text articles were selected, and 14 were included in the meta-analysis. No significant publication bias was found. Efficacy: limited data are available regarding the efficacy of vaccination, as most studies have focused on immunogenicity as surrogate outcome for efficacy. Immunogenicity: patients receiving anti-TNF-alpha therapy had a statistically significant risk of poor seroconversion (p = 0.028) and seroprotection by the serotype B influenza vaccine [inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) p = 0.013; juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) p = 0.004]. We found adequate responses with H1N1 and H3N2 serotypes. Few studies existed for pneumococcal, hepatitis A virus, hepatitis B virus, varicella-zoster virus, Measles Mumps Rubella virus, and multiple vaccine administration. Safety: vaccine administration was not associated with serious side effects, but JIA patients on anti-TNF alpha therapy had a statistically significant risk of presenting with myalgia or arthralgia postinfluenza vaccine (p = 0.014).ConclusionsMore evidence concerning efficacy, immunogenicity, and safety of vaccinations is needed to guide physicians in the vaccine decision process for this pediatric population.     

Hirschsprung-associated inflammatory bowel disease: A multicenter study from the APSA Hirschsprung disease interest group

Background/PurposeA small number of Hirschsprung disease (HD) patients develop inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)-like symptoms after pullthrough surgery. The etiology and pathophysiology of Hirschsprung-associated IBD (HD-IBD) remains unknown. This study aims to further characterize HD-IBD, to identify potential risk factors and to evaluate response to treatment in a large group of patients.MethodsRetrospective study of patients diagnosed with IBD after pullthrough surgery between 2000 and 2021 at 17 institutions. Data regarding clinical presentation and course of HD and IBD were reviewed. Effectiveness of medical therapy for IBD was recorded using a Likert scale.ResultsThere were 55 patients (78% male). 50% (n = 28) had long segment disease. Hirschsprung-associated enterocolitis (HAEC) was reported in 68% (n = 36). Ten patients (18%) had Trisomy 21. IBD was diagnosed after age 5 in 63% (n = 34). IBD presentation consisted of colonic or small bowel inflammation resembling IBD in 69% (n = 38), unexplained or persistent fistula in 18% (n = 10) and unexplained HAEC >5 years old or unresponsive to standard treatment in 13% (n = 7). Biological agents were the most effective (80%) medications. A third of patients required a surgical procedure for IBD.ConclusionMore than half of the patients were diagnosed with HD-IBD after 5 years old. Long segment disease, HAEC after pull through operation and trisomy 21 may represent risk factors for this condition. Investigation for possible IBD should be considered in children with unexplained fistulae, HAEC beyond the age of 5 or unresponsive to standard therapy, and symptoms suggestive of IBD. Biological agents were the most effective medical treatment.Level of EvidenceLevel 4     

银杏叶制剂联合地塞米松在老年突聋治疗中对血清炎症指标的影响

目的: 探讨银杏叶制剂联合地塞米松在老年突聋治疗中对血清炎症指标的影响。方法: 按随机数字表法将我院2016年7月-2021年7月收治的102例老年突聋患者分入两组（各51例）。对照组用地塞米松治疗，治疗组加用银杏叶制剂治疗。观察两组治疗前后纯音听阈和血管内皮功能指标[超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）、脂质过氧化物（LPO）、一氧化氮（NO）]、血清炎症指标[肿瘤坏死因子-α（TNF-α）、C反应蛋白（CRP）、白细胞介素-6（IL-6）]，分析其疗效与不良反应。结果: 与对照组比较，治疗组总有效率更高（96.08％vs 82.35％）（χ2=4.993，P=0.025）；两组治疗后各频率点阈值均下降，且相比对照组，治疗组治疗后各频率点阈值更低（P<0.05）；治疗后两组SOD、NO水平均升高，LPO水平降低（P<0.05），且相比对照组，治疗组治疗后SOD、NO水平更高，LPO水平更低（P<0.05）；治疗后两组血清TNF-α、CRP、IL-6水平降低，且相比对照组，治疗组TNF-α、CRP、IL-6水平更低（P<0.05）；治疗组不良反应发生率5.88％，对照组为9.80％，两组比较差异无统计学意义（P=0.543，χ2=0.461）。结论: 银杏叶制剂联合地塞米松治疗老年突聋患者疗效理想，能恢复各频率点听力，安全可靠，推测改善患者血管内皮功能和炎症因子水平是其重要作用机制。     

Young age,female sex,and presence of systemic adverse reactions are associated with high post-vaccination antibody titer after two doses of BNT162b2 mRNA SARS-CoV-2 vaccination: An observational study of 646 Japanese healthcare workers and university staff

BackgroundSARS-CoV-2 vaccination has started worldwide, including Japan. Although high rates of vaccine response and adverse reactions of BNT162b2 vaccine have been reported, knowledge about the relationship between sex differences and antibody response is limited. Furthermore, it is uncertain whether adverse reactions are associated with the vaccine response.MethodsThis prospective observational study included 673 Japanese participants working in a medical school and its affiliated hospital in Tokyo, Japan (UMIN000043340). Serum samples were collected before the first dose and three weeks after the second dose of BNT162b2 vaccine, and antibody titers against the receptor-binding domain of the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 were measured. Answers to questionnaires about background characteristics and adverse reactions were obtained at the time of sample collection, and the relationship between antibody titers was analyzed.ResultsAfter excluding participants who did not complete receiving two doses of vaccination or two series of serum sample collection, 646 participants were analyzed. Although all participants became sero-positive after vaccination, antibody titers were highly variable among individuals (260.9–57,399.7A U/mL), with a median titer of 13478.0AU/mL. Mean titer was higher in females than in males and higher in young (≤45 years old) participants than in aged (>45 years old) participants. Participants who experienced adverse reactions demonstrated a higher antibody titer after vaccination than those without adverse reactions. Multivariable analysis demonstrated that young age, female sex, and adverse reactions after the second dose were independently related to higher antibody titers after the second dose.DiscussionA favorable antibody response was observed after two doses of BNT162b2 vaccination among mostly healthy Japanese participants, especially among female and young participants. Although further investigation is essential, our results imply that the systemic adverse reactions (i.e., fever and general fatigue) are associated with a higher antibody response that indicates the acquisition of humoral immunity.     

Imaging Features of Pulmonary Immune-related Adverse Events

Pulmonary immune-related adverse events represent rare but potentially severe side effects of immunotherapies. Diagnosis is often challenging, as symptoms and imaging features are not specific and may mimic other lung diseases, thus potentially delaying appropriate patient management. In this setting, an accurate imaging evaluation is essential for a prompt detection and correct management of these drug-induced lung diseases. The purpose of this article is to review the different types of pulmonary immune-related adverse events, describe their imaging characteristics on both high-resolution computed tomography and positron emission tomography/computed tomography and stress their underlying diagnostic challenge by presenting the mimickers.     

翁舌汤灌肠治疗大肠湿热型溃疡性结肠炎临床研究

目的:观察翁舌汤灌肠治疗大肠湿热型溃疡性结肠炎的疗效及其对患者血清炎症因子水平的影响。方法:将80例大肠湿热型溃疡性结肠炎患者按随机数字表法分为观察组和对照组各40例。观察组给予翁舌汤灌肠治疗,对照组给予美沙拉嗪栓肛门塞入治疗,两组均连续治疗8周。比较两组患者的临床疗效、肠黏膜征象积分和血清炎症因子水平。结果:治疗后,观察组和对照组总有效率分别为95.00%、70.00%,两组疗效比较,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。治疗后,观察组患者炎症增生、黏膜溃疡、黏膜糜烂、黏膜水肿、黏膜充血积分均下降,与治疗前比较,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);且观察组各项积分均低于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。治疗后,两组血清白细胞介素-8(IL-8)、肿瘤坏死因子-β(TNF-β)水平均降低,血清白细胞介素-10(IL-10)水平均升高,与治疗前比较,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05);且观察组血清IL-8、TNF-β水平明显低于对照组,血清IL-10水平明显高于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论:翁舌汤灌肠治疗大肠湿热型溃疡性结肠炎疗效较好,可改善患者肠黏膜征象积分,调节血清炎症因子水平。     

左卡尼汀治疗心肌炎的临床效果与安全性观察

目的对心肌炎患者采用左卡尼汀治疗的效果和安全性进行探究。方法研究对象以2018年7月-2019年9月收治的心肌炎患者82例为对象,以随机数字表划分为常规组和研究组,两组患者每组41例。采用常规治疗方式对常规组进行治疗,在此基础上,采用左卡尼汀对研究组进行治疗。在治疗结束后,观察并比较临床疗效和用药过程的安全问题。结果研究组的治疗总有效率为97.6%,但常规组的治疗总有效率只有80.5%,从结果来看研究组的治疗有效率更高,效果更佳突出,组间结果差异对比(P <0.05)。在不良反应方面,研究组的不良反应(4.9%)虽然比常规组(2.4%)更高,然而从统计学结果来看差异无统计学意义(P> 0.05)。结论针对心肌炎患者采用左卡尼汀进行治疗具有很好的效果,而且具有很高的安全性。