Epidemiologic and socioeconomic factors impacting hepatitis B virus and related hepatocellular carcinoma

Chronic Hepatitis B is a highly prevalent disease worldwide and is estimated to cause more than 800000 annual deaths from complications such as cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Although universal hepatitis B vaccination programs may have reduced the incidence and prevalence of chronic hepatitis B and related HCC, the disease still imposes a significant healthcare burden in many endemic regions such as Africa and the Asia-Pacific region. This is especially concerning given the global underdiagnosis of hepatitis B and the limited availability of vaccination, screening, and treatment in low-resource regions. Demographics including male gender, older age, ethnicity, and geographic location as well as low socioeconomic status are more heavily impacted by chronic hepatitis B and related HCC. Methods to mitigate this impact include increasing screening in high-risk groups according to national guidelines, increasing awareness and health literacy in vulnerable populations, and developing more robust vaccination programs in under-served regions.     

Robust antibody response after a third BNT162b2 vaccine compared to the second among immunocompromised and healthy individuals,a prospective longitudinal cohort study

PurposeAs protection from COVID-19 following two doses of the BNT162b2 vaccine showed a time dependent waning, a third (booster) dose was administrated. This study aims to compare the antibody response following the third dose versus the second and to evaluate post-booster seroconversion.MethodsA prospective observational study conducted in Maccabi Healthcare Services. Serial SARS-CoV-2 Spike IgG tests, 1,2,3 and 6 months following the second vaccine dose and one month following the third were obtained. Neutralizing antibody levels were measured in a subset of participants. Per individual SARS-CoV-2 Spike IgG titer ratios were calculated one month after the booster administration compared to titers one month following the second dose and prior to booster.ResultsAmong 110 participants, 56 (51%) were women. Mean age was 61.7 ± 1.9 years and 66 (60%) were immunocompromised. One month after third dose, IgG titers were induced 7.83 (95 %CI 5.25–11.67) folds and 2.40 (95 %CI 1.90–3.03) folds compared to one month after the second, in the immunocompromised and immunocompetent groups, respectively. Of the 17 immunocompromised participants who were seronegative after the second dose, 4 (24%) became seropositive following the third. Comparing the titers prior to the third dose, an increase of 50.7 (95 %CI 32.5–79.1) fold in the immunocompromised group and 25.7 (95 %CI 19.1–34.7) fold in and immunocompetent group, was observed.ConclusionA third BNT162b2 vaccine elicited robust humoral response, superior to the response observed following the second, among immunocompetent and immunocompromised individuals.     

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.     

Association between reactogenicity and SARS-CoV-2 antibodies after the second dose of the BNT162b2 COVID-19 vaccine

High vaccine reactogenicities may reflect stronger immune responses, but the epidemiological evidence for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines is sparse and inconsistent. We observed that a fever of ≥38℃ after two doses of the BNT162b2 vaccine was associated with higher severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) spike IgG titers.     

Artificial intelligence and clinical data suggest the T cell-mediated SARS-CoV-2 nonstructural protein intranasal vaccines for global COVID-19 immunity

Advanced computational methodologies suggested SARS-CoV-2, nonstructural proteins ORF1AB, ORF3a, as the source of immunodominant peptides for T cell presentation. T cell immunity is long-lasting and compatible with COVID-19 pathology. Based on the supporting clinical data, nonstructural SARS-CoV-2 protein vaccines could provide global immunity against COVID-19.     

Single-dose replicating poxvirus vector-based RBD vaccine drives robust humoral and T cell immune response against SARS-CoV-2 infection

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A historical analysis of vaccine mandates in the United States military and its application to the COVID-19 vaccine mandate

The Department of Defense has implemented a mandate that all military personnel be vaccinated against COVID-19. This article reviews the historical precedent of vaccine mandates for United States military personnel dating back to the formation of the continental army, as well as previous controversies about vaccine mandates such as the first influenza vaccine mandate and the Anthrax Vaccine Immunization Program. The historical review discusses precedent for the current COVID-19 vaccine mandate and the reception of these vaccine mandates by military personnel. The review then discusses how these historical lessons can inform the present COVID-19 vaccine mandate.     

基于规律成簇的间隔短回文重复序列及其相关蛋白技术检测乙型肝炎病毒共价闭合环状DNA方法的建立

目的建立一种基于规律成簇的间隔短回文重复序列及其相关蛋白(CRISPR/Cas13a)的乙型肝炎病毒(HBV)共价闭合环状DNA(HBV cccDNA)检测方法。方法提取2017年6月至2020年10月于首都医科大学附属北京佑安医院就诊的4例乙型肝炎患者肝脏总DNA后,使用HindⅢ内切酶和质粒安全性ATP依赖DNA酶(PSAD)分别进行酶切;根据松弛环状DNA(rcDNA)和cccDNA的结构差异,设计特异性扩增HBV cccDNA的引物,对酶切后的产物进行滚环扩增(RCA)和PCR扩增;并筛选crRNA,建立基于CRISPR/Cas13a技术的HBV cccDNA检测新方法。结果利用α-1-抗胰蛋白酶(A1AT)和HBV表面抗原(HBsAg)引物对双重酶切后的产物进行扩增,验证产物中HBV基因组的存在;利用HBV cccDNA和HBV rcDNA引物对PSDA酶切后的产物扩增,验证了产物中只存在HBV cccDNA;利用RCA后的阳性样本作为模板梯度稀释,然后进行PCR扩增转录后使用CRISPR/Cas13a检测,计算出检测下限为10拷贝/μl。结论本研究建立了RCA-PCR-CRISPR-Cas13a的新型检测方法,可对HBV cccDNA进行高灵敏度和高特异性检测,为乙型肝炎患者抗病毒治疗评估、治疗终点的确定以及调整治疗方案提供了有效的监测手段。