Vaccine Efficacy Research Articles

Immunogenicity and efficacy of XBB.1.5 rS vaccine against the EG.5.1 variant of SARS-CoV-2 in Syrian hamsters.

As SARS-CoV-2 continues to evolve, there is a need to assess the immunogenicity and efficacy of updated vaccines against newly emerging variants in pre-clinical models such as mice and hamsters. Here, we compared the immunogenicity and efficacy between the updated XBB.1.5, the original Prototype Wuhan-1, and the bivalent Prototype + BA.5 vaccine against a challenge with the EG.5.1 Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 in hamsters. The XBB.1.5 and bivalent vaccine, but not the Prototype, induced serum-neutralizing antibodies against EG.5.1, albeit the titers were higher in the XBB.1.5 immunized hamsters. The presence of neutralizing antibodies was associated with complete protection against EG.5.1 infection in the lower airways and reduced virus titers in the upper airways. Compared with the bivalent vaccine, immunization with XBB.1.5 improved viral control in the nasal turbinates. Together, our data show that the updated vaccine is immunogenic and that it offers better protection against recent variants of SARS-CoV-2.

A review of enterovirus-associated hand-foot and mouth disease: preventive strategies and the need for a global enterovirus surveillance network.

Enterovirus (EV)-associated hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) is a significant public health issue worldwide, commonly occurring in children five years of age or younger. The leading causes of most HFMD cases are EVs, which are members of the Picornaviridae family. The typical clinical manifestations of EV-associated HFMD are febrile presentations with mucosal herpangina, oral ulcerations, and skin rashes on the hands and feet. The majority of HFMD cases resolve without consequence; however, a subset progresses to severe neurological and cardiopulmonary complications, which can be fatal. In the past two decades, EV-associated HFMD has received significant attention. In this review, we organize published papers and provide updates on epidemiology, pathogenesis, surveillance, and vaccine developments for EV-associated HFMD. The impact of EV-associated HFMD is increasing globally. Developing efficacious vaccines has become a priority for preventing EV infections without adequate treatment. Simultaneously, emerging EV infections (including EV-D68, EV-A71, Coxsackieviruses, and echoviruses) are increasing, highlighting the need to create a vigilant surveillance system for EV infections worldwide.

"Life as We Knew It": Continued Challenges in Getting Up-to-Date COVID-19 Vaccinations Amongst Black and Latinx Michigan Residents.

Minority communities are disproportionately impacted by COVID-19. In Michigan in 2024, 59% of Latinx residents, 46% of Black residents, and 57% of White residents have received at least one dose of the vaccine. However, just 7% of Black residents and 6% of Latinx residents report being up-to-date per CDC definition, versus 13% of White residents. Drawing from protection motivation theory, we aimed to identify barriers to COVID-19 vaccination. Interviews with 24 Black and 10 Latinx Michigan residents self-reported as not up-to-date (n = 15) or up-to-date (n = 19) on COVID-19 vaccines were conducted in 2022-2023. We used a community-based participatory approach in collaboration with 16 leaders from 15 organizations to develop research questions, interview protocols, and methods for data collection and analysis. Thematic coding of interviews was conducted. Findings indicate participants' lack of confidence in the COVID-19 vaccine's efficacy, with those not up-to-date expressing greater doubt. Participants were also concerned about vaccine benefits versus risks, safety, and side effects. Distrust in medicine, confusion about public health guidelines, and conspiracy theories were often reported. Younger unvaccinated individuals cited low health risk as reason to remain unvaccinated. Many participants felt that health education, especially through medical professionals, was beneficial. There is great need for more data to make informed decisions given ongoing lack of understanding of the public health benefits of COVID-19 vaccination. Identifying drivers of vaccine uptake, particularly boosters, in communities of color and developing age-appropriate and culturally responsive interventions to increase vaccination rates are of utmost importance.

Emerging Omicron Subvariants EG.5 and BA.2.86: Implications for COVID-19 Immunity and Surveillance

The SARS-CoV-2 virus, responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic, has continuously evolved since its emergence. Among its variants, the Omicron lineage has become globally dominant, displaying a diverse range of sublineages. Two significant sub lineages within Omicron are EG.5 and BA.2.8, which have gained attention due to their unique characteristics and potential implications. EG.5 is characterized by a constellation of mutations, including N501Y, L452R, and D614G. Similarly, BA.2.8 carries the L452Q and P681R mutations, which enhance its ability to evade antibodies elicited by prior infection or vaccination. Similar to those in the EG.5, the clinical severity and impact of BA.2.8 on public health measures are still being assessed. These sublineages, with their unique genetic profiles and transmissibility characteristics, pose challenges to virulence response efforts. Continued surveillance, genomic sequencing, and research are essential to understand their behavior, assess their impact, and inform public health strategies accordingly. By a comprehensive synthesis of the literature, genomic data, and epidemiological insights, this study provides an analysis of Omicron mutations’ transmission dynamics, and clinical implications associated with these variants. The significance of variant surveillance in informing public health responses to the COVID-19 pandemic is underscored, highlighting the critical role of genomic sequencing in tracking viral evolution and guiding interventions. This manuscript aimed to elucidate the mechanisms underlying variant emergence, assess vaccine effectiveness against emerging strains, and explore the broader implications for global public health. This study provides insights into vaccine-induced immunity and the potential impact of variants on vaccine efficacy. Overall, this communication aims to inform public health practitioners, policymakers, and researchers engaged in the battle against COVID-19, offering actionable insights to mitigate the spread of the virus and improve pandemic response strategies.

Mpox treatment evolution: past milestones, present advances, and future directions.

An underestimated worldwide health concern, Monkeypox (Mpox) is becoming a bigger menace to the world's population. After smallpox was eradicated in 1970, Mpox was found in a rural region of Africa and quickly spread to other African countries. The etiological agent of the Mpox infection, the Mpox virus, is constantly evolving, and its capability for cross-species transmission led to a global outbreak in 2022 which led to several deaths throughout the world. This review aims to showcase the progressive treatment methods and emerging innovations in the diagnostic and prevention strategies for controlling Mpox. The clinical trial data for antiviral drugs were systematically collected and analyzed using statistical tests to determine the most effective antiviral treatment. Emerging viral protein inhibitors that are under investigation for Mpox treatment were also scrutinized in this review. Additionally, modern diagnostic methods, such as the Streamlined CRISPR On Pod Evaluation platform (SCOPE) and graphene quantum rods were reviewed, and the efficacy of mRNA vaccines with traditional smallpox vaccines used for Mpox were compared. The statistical analysis revealed that tecovirimat (TCV) is the most effective antiviral drug among the other evaluated drugs, showing superior efficacy in clinical trials. Similarly, mRNA vaccines offer greater effectiveness compared to conventional smallpox vaccines. Furthermore, emerging nanomedicine and herbal drug candidates were highlighted as potential future treatments for Mpox. The findings underscore the effectiveness of TCV in treating Mpox and highlight significant advancements in preventive treatments. The review also points to innovative approaches in vaccine technology and potential future therapies, including nanomedicine and herbal remedies, which may enhance Mpox management.

A therapeutic HBV vaccine containing a checkpoint modifier enhances CD8+ T cell and antiviral responses.

In patients who progress from acute hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection to a chronic HBV (CHB) infection, CD8+ T cells fail to eliminate the virus and become impaired. A functional cure of CHB likely requires new and highly functional CD8+ T cell responses different from those induced by the infection. Here we report preclinical immunogenicity and efficacy of an HBV therapeutic vaccine that includes herpes simplex virus (HSV) glycoprotein D (gD), a checkpoint modifier of early T cell activation, that enhances, broadens, and prolongs CD8+ T cell responses. We developed a therapeutic HBV vaccine based on a chimpanzee adenovirus serotype 6 (AdC6) vector, called AdC6-gDHBV2, that targets conserved and highly immunogenic regions of the viral polymerase (pol) and core antigens fused into HSV gD. The vaccine was tested with, and without gD, in mice for immunogenicity and in an adeno-associated virus (AAV)8-1.3HBV vector model for antiviral efficacy. The vaccine encoding the HBV antigens within gD stimulates potent and broad CD8+ T cell responses. In a surrogate model of HBV infection, a single intramuscular (i.m.) injection of AdC6-gDHBV2 achieved significant and sustained declines of circulating HBV DNA copies (cps) and HBV surface antigen (HBsAg); both inversely correlated with HBV specific CD8+ T cell frequencies in spleens and livers. AdC6-gDHBV2 is the first therapeutic vaccine to show significant reductions in levels of HBV genome copies and HBsAg when used alone, even when vaccination was delayed for months from infection.

2D Differential Metallic Immunopotentiators Drive High Diversity and Capability of Antigen-specific Immunity Against Tumor.

The therapeutic efficacy of vaccines for treating cancers in clinics remains limited. Here, a rationally designed cancer vaccine by placing immunogenically differential and clinically approved aluminum (Al)or manganese (Mn) in a 2D nanosheet (NS) architecture together with antigens is reported. Structurally optimal NS with a high molar ratio of Mn to Al (MANS-H) features distinctive immune modulation, markedly promoting the influx of heterogeneous innate immune cells at the injection site. Stimulation of multiple subsets of dendritic cells (DCs) significantly increases the levels, subtypes, and functionalities of antigen-specific T cells. MANS-H demonstrates even greater effectiveness in the production of antigen-specific antibodies than the commercial adjuvant (Alhydrogel) by priming T helper (Th)2 cells rather than T follicular helper (Tfh) cells. Beyond humoral immunity, MANS-H evokes high frequencies of antigen-specific Th1 and CD8+ cell immunity, which are comparable with Quil-A that is widely used in veterinary vaccines. Immunized mice with MANS-H adjuvanted vaccines exert strong potency in tumor regression by promoting effector T cells infiltrating at tumor and overcoming tumor resistance in multiple highly aggressive tumor models. The engineered immunogen with an intriguing NS architecture and safe immunopotentiators offers the next clinical advance in cancer immunotherapy.

Phylodynamics of high pathogenicity avian influenza virus in Bangladesh identifying domestic ducks as the amplifying host reservoir

High pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) virus H5N1 first emerged in Bangladesh in 2007. Despite the use of vaccines in chickens since 2012 to control HPAI, HPAI H5Nx viruses have continued to infect poultry, and wild birds, resulting in notable mass mortalities in house crows (Corvus splendens). The first HPAI H5Nx viruses in Bangladesh belonged to clade 2.2.2, followed by clade 2.3.4.2 and 2.3.2.1 viruses in 2011. After the implementation of chicken vaccination in 2012, these viruses were mostly replaced by clade 2.3.2.1a viruses and more recently clade 2.3.4.4b and h viruses. In this study, we reconstruct the phylogenetic history of HPAI H5Nx viruses in Bangladesh to evaluate the role of major host species in the maintenance and evolution of HPAI H5Nx virus in Bangladesh and reveal the role of heavily impacted crows in virus epidemiology. Epizootic waves caused by HPAI H5N1 and H5N6 viruses amongst house crows occurred annually in winter. Bayesian phylodynamic analysis of clade 2.3.2.1a revealed frequent bidirectional viral transitions between domestic ducks, chickens, and house crows that was markedly skewed towards ducks; domestic ducks might be the source, or reservoir, of HPAI H5Nx in Bangladesh, as the number of viral transitions from ducks to chickens and house crows was by far more numerous than the other transitions. Our results suggest viral circulation in domestic birds despite vaccination, with crow epizootics acting as a sentinel. The vaccination strategy needs to be updated to use more effective vaccinations, assess vaccine efficacy, and extension of vaccination to domestic ducks, the key reservoir.

Simultaneous Use of Iron/Anticoccidial Treatment and Vaccination against Oedema Disease: Impact on the Development of Serum-Neutralising Antibodies, Hematinic and Anticoccidial Activities in Piglets

Oedema disease (OD) in weaned piglets is caused by shigatoxigenic Escherichia coli (STEC), which produces the Stx2e toxin. The disease is controlled by early vaccination (for example, with Ecoporc Shiga®). Iron-deficiency anaemia (IDA) and cystoisosporosis are the most common clinical conditions in piglets. These conditions are managed mainly by the intramuscular injection of iron and application of toltrazuril (for example, Forceris®). In the present study, we sought to evaluate any effect on the efficacy of OD vaccination and iron/anticoccidial treatment resulting from a simultaneous application. An evaluation was carried out by measuring the development of neutralising antibodies against the Stx2e toxin, hematinic indices and oocysts shedding. Six litters from Stx2e-antibody-negative sows were included in the study, with 12 piglets in each litter. The piglets were randomly allocated into two groups on their second day of life (DOL): (T1) iron/anticoccidial treatment and vaccine were administered on different days, and (T2) products were administered simultaneously. Blood samples were collected to determine the levels of serum-neutralising antibodies, haemoglobin and haematocrit. Faecal matter was examined for the presence of oocysts of Cystoisospora suis. No differences were found between the two groups in terms of the development of neutralising antibodies. The levels of haemoglobin and haematocrit were lower (p < 0.05 and p = 0.08, respectively) when iron/anticoccidial treatment and vaccine were applied simultaneously but within the optimal range, based on current interpretive criteria for IDA. Oocysts were not detected in the faecal samples from the animals in either group. In conclusion, we found that, under the conditions of our study, the efficacy of OD vaccination and iron/anticoccidial treatment was not affected by the simultaneous use.

386. SAFETY AND FEASIBILITY OF PERSONALIZED NEOANTIGEN DC VACCINES IN POSTOPERATIVE ESOPHAGUS SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA: A PHASE 1B TRIAL

Abstract Background Immunotherapy, as a neoadjuvant treatment, currently stands at the forefront of esophageal squamous carcinoma research. Yet, the landscape of post-surgery adjuvant therapy remains largely unexplored, especially for patients who experience inadequate responses or develop resistance to initial immunotherapy. Addressing this gap, we have undertaken a single-center, single-arm, prospective, and exploratory clinical study. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of a personalized neoantigen-loaded dendritic cell vaccine (Neo-DCVac) as a novel adjuvant treatment in ESCC patients who have previously undergone neoadjuvant immunochemotherapy (nICT). Methods Neo-DCVac was designed and administered to 12 ESCC patients undergoing radical mastectomy post-nICT. Tailored adjuvant therapy was based on tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) analysis, following Lam's Stratified Treatment Strategy. The immunization schedule included five doses at weeks 1, 2, 4, 6, and 8, with bi-monthly boosts during the consolidation phase, sustained over a year. Primary endpoints were safety and post-vaccination immune response. Secondary endpoints included 1- and 2-year overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival. T-cell response to neoantigen peptides was assessed using enzyme-linked immunospot (ELISPOT), flow cytometry, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent asssay (ELISA), alongside single-cell sequencing to explore the vaccine's efficacy mechanism. Results From April 2021 to October 2023, a total of 12 ESCC patients were enrolled. The occurrence of all-grade AEs was 38.5% (5/12), all of grade 1-2, with no dose-limiting toxicities. No treatment interruptions or treatment-related deaths were observed. Till October 27 2023, the median follow-up was 31.2 months. Survival analysis revealed 1-year and 2-year disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) rates of 88.3%, 66.7%, and 100.0%, 91.7%, respectively. Patients with diver genes had a longer median DFS (not reached) compared with patients without diver genes (10.8 months, P = 0.001). Post-vaccine immunization, all patients showed a marked increase in peripheral blood T cell subtypes (CD3, CD4, CD8), with significant neoantigen peptide response in 75% (9/12) as evidenced by ELISPOT and ELISA tests. Single-cell sequencing coupled with CoNGA analysis revealed a distinct MAIT cell population, displaying 65 clonotypes and 146 cells with consistent GEX profiles and TCR sequences. GLIPH2 analysis on Neo-Vac immunotherapy patients identified shared peptide-MHC specificities, notably in patient ES0-01, and similar patterns in patients ES0-04 and ES0-07, suggesting T cell expansion and neoantigen-specific responses post-vaccination. Conclusions The neoantigen DC vaccine demonstrated favorable safety and exhibited notable efficacy in ESCC.

Maternal Immunizations: Past, Present, and Future.

Maternal vaccines during pregnancy offer crucial protection against infections for both the pregnant person and their newborn. Vaccines against influenza, pertussis, coronavirus disease 2019, and respiratory syncytial virus are routinely recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to safeguard pregnant women and their infants from potentially severe complications. Administering these vaccines during pregnancy helps transfer protective antibodies from the mother to the baby, enhancing immunity during the vulnerable early months of life. Extensive research supports the safety and efficacy of maternal vaccines, with numerous studies demonstrating their protective benefits for both pregnant people and newborns.

Immune responses induced by a recombinant C-strain of classical swine fever virus expressing the F317L protein of African swine fever virus

African swine fever (ASF), a highly infectious and devastating disease affecting both domestic pigs and wild boars, owes its etiology to African swine fever virus (ASFV). ASFV encodes more than 165 proteins. However, novel immunogenic proteins remain unknown. This study aimed to determine the antigenicity of the F317L protein (pF317L) of ASFV. The results revealed that pF317L was able to react with convalescent pig sera, indicating that pF317L could be a candidate antigen. The antigenic potential of pF317L expressed by rHCLV-F317L, a recombinant virus in the backbone of C-strain (a lapinized live attenuated classical swine fever virus) was investigated in rabbits and pigs. Our results revealed that antibodies and cell-mediated immune responses against pF317L were induced in either rabbits or pigs inoculated with rHCLV-F317L. Furthermore, anti-pF317L antibodies from rabbits or pigs immunized with rHCLV-F317L significantly inhibited ASFV replication in vitro. In conclusion, pF317L demonstrates favorable immunogenic properties, thereby positioning it as a promising candidate for the development of protective antigens in the ongoing endeavor to formulate efficacious ASF vaccine strategies.

Efficacy and safety of therapeutic vaccines for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials update.

Most people diagnosed with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) need treatment to help reduce the risk of liver disease and limit disease transmission. Therapeutic vaccine (TV) candidates have been under study for their clinical effects on inducing HBV-specific host immune responses. This review aimed to systematically synthesize updated evidence on the efficacy and safety of TVs in patients with CHB. This systematic review was performed by searching different databases from January to February 2021. Completed randomized controlled trials that reported TVs' efficacy and/or safety for treating CHB compared with the standard of care (SOC) or placebo were included. Efficacy and safety estimates were reported as the logarithm of the odds ratio and risk differences, respectively. I2 > 50% was considered significant heterogeneity. Significant publication bias was considered when Egger's test P value < .10. The risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool. The GRADE methodology was used to assess the certainty of the evidence for each outcome. Twenty-four articles with 2889 pooled samples were included. TVs made a significant difference in hepatitis B envelope antigen (HBeAg) SC (log OR = 0.76, P = .01) and (log OR = 0.40, P = .03) compared to placebo and combination therapy, respectively. HBeAg SC was significantly affected by TVs at the end of follow up (log OR = 0.49, P = .01), with significant HBsAg mean difference (MD = -0.62, P = .00). At the end of treatment, the TVs had no significant effect on HBV DNA negativity over the SOC (log OR = 0.62, P = .09) or placebo (log OR = -0.07, P = .91). TVs do not significantly affect the risk of serious adverse events (RD 0.02, 95% CI 0.00-0.04). In patients with CHB, TVs had significant effects on HBeAg SC compared to the SOC or placebo. There was no significant difference between serious adverse events. TVs are promising treatment strategy to overcome CHB.

SARS-CoV-2 Evolution: Immune Dynamics, Omicron Specificity, and Predictive Modeling in Vaccinated Populations.

Host immunity is central to the virus's spread dynamics, which is significantly influenced by vaccination and prior infection experiences. In this work, we analyzed the co-evolution of SARS-CoV-2 mutation, angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor binding, and neutralizing antibody (NAb) responses across various variants in 822 human and mice vaccinated with different non-Omicron and Omicron vaccines is analyzed. The link between vaccine efficacy and vaccine type, dosing, and post-vaccination duration is revealed. The classification of immune protection against non-Omicron and Omicron variants is co-evolved with genetic mutations and vaccination. Additionally, a model, the Prevalence Score (P-Score) is introduced, which surpasses previous algorithm-based models in predicting the potential prevalence of new variants in vaccinated populations. The hybrid vaccination combining the wild-type (WT)inactivated vaccine with the Omicron BA.4/5 mRNA vaccine may provide broad protection against both non-Omicron variants and Omicron variants, albeit with EG.5.1 still posing a risk. In conclusion, these findings enhance understanding of population immunity variations and provide valuable insights for future vaccine development and public health strategies.

Immune response and protection efficacy of formalin-killed vaccines against Streptococcus iniae in four-finger threadfin Eleutheronema tetradactylum.

Four-finger threadfin, Eleutheronema tetradactylum farming in southern Taiwan has been facing disease problems caused by Streptococcus iniae since 2018. The development of a vaccine against infectious S. iniae in the cultured threadfin industry is necessary. Thus, this study aimed to examine the efficacy of threadfin immunized formalin-killed cells (FKC) from S. iniae GSI-111 for 42 days post-vaccination (dpv) using two doses of FKC alone (a booster at 14 dpv) as group A, and FKC mixed with ISA763A adjuvant using a single dose as group B or double doses as group C. Immunoglobulin (Ig)-M was purified from threadfin, and rabbit anti-threadfin IgM polyclonal antibodies were used to detect antibody level in immunized fish; the vaccinated group A displayed higher levels at 3 dpv and all vaccinated treatments demonstrated high antibody levels between 14 and 42 dpv. All vaccine groups showed significantly higher values of lysozyme activity at 42 dpv compared with the control group; the vaccinated A group peaked at 14 dpv. The expression profiles of pro-inflammatory and immune-related genes, TNF-α, IL-12A, and C2 were upregulated at 3 dpv, while CD8A and chemokine receptor CXCR4 were upregulated at 42 dpv. Finally, the threadfins were challenged with S. iniae at 42 dpv. The average relative percent survival was 96% for vaccination A and B treatments, and 100% for vaccination C treatment. In summary, this study demonstrated that FKC vaccines whether formulated with an adjuvant could stimulate immune response and effective protect threadfins against S. iniae infection.

Comparative Analysis of HPV16 Variants in the Untranslated Regulatory Region, L1, and E6 Genes among Vaccinated and Unvaccinated Young Women: Assessing Vaccine Efficacy and Viral Diversity

Comparative Analysis of HPV16 Variants in the Untranslated Regulatory Region, L1, and E6 Genes among Vaccinated and Unvaccinated Young Women: Assessing Vaccine Efficacy and Viral Diversity

Health and economic impacts of Lassa vaccination campaigns in West Africa.

Lassa fever is a zoonotic disease identified by the World Health Organization (WHO) as having pandemic potential. This study estimates the health-economic burden of Lassa fever throughout West Africa and projects impacts of a series of vaccination campaigns. We also model the emergence of 'Lassa-X'-a hypothetical pandemic Lassa virus variant-and project impacts of achieving 100 Days Mission vaccination targets. Our model predicted 2.7 million (95% uncertainty interval: 2.1-3.4 million) Lassa virus infections annually, resulting over 10 years in 2.0 million (793,800-3.9 million) disability-adjusted life years (DALYs). The most effective vaccination strategy was a population-wide preventive campaign primarily targeting WHO-classified 'endemic' districts. Under conservative vaccine efficacy assumptions, this campaign averted $20.1 million ($8.2-$39.0 million) in lost DALY value and $128.2 million ($67.2-$231.9 million) in societal costs (2021 international dollars ($)). Reactive vaccination in response to local outbreaks averted just one-tenth the health-economic burden of preventive campaigns. In the event of Lassa-X emerging, spreading throughout West Africa and causing approximately 1.2 million DALYs within 2 years, 100 Days Mission vaccination averted 22% of DALYs given a vaccine 70% effective against disease and 74% of DALYs given a vaccine 70% effective against both infection and disease. These findings suggest how vaccination could alleviate Lassa fever's burden and assist in pandemic preparedness.

COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy: Meaning relations between responses in an epidemiological study and twitter messages

BackgroundVaccine hesitancy is a concerning public health issue, further amplified during the COVID-19 pandemic. Social media is an important player in this context, promoting the dissemination of both information and misinformation. Qualitative studies analyzing the meaning of social media contents in correlation with epidemiological data are scarce, and could aid our understanding of social media's impact on vaccine hesitancy. MethodsIn this study, we identified open-ended responses on reasons to refuse the COVID-19 vaccine collected in an epidemiologic study, and analyzed meaning relations with Twitter posts according to theme categories using a qualitative approach. ResultsAmong responses to open-ended questions on motivations for refusing the COVID-19 vaccine, we identified and analyzed five theme categories: 1. individuality; 2. fear of adverse events/distrust in vaccine safety; 3. political ideologies/aversion to recommendations issued by the State; 4. skepticism about vaccine efficacy; and 5. refusal of non-natural products or interventions. We observed a close correspondence between open-ended responses in the epidemiological study and Twitter posts in all 5 theme categories. The highest outreach of Twitter posts was observed for those in the “individuality” and “fear of adverse the events/distrust in vaccine safety” theme categories. ConclusionsOur study suggests that social media interactions can perpetuate misinformation and hesitant attitudes about vaccines. Social media algorithms can intensify ideologic isolation, and strategies to promote the dissemination of tailored health information among social media users should be implemented to promote an overall understanding of health, particularly those concerning the collective wellbeing.

Conserved moonlighting protein pyruvate dehydrogenase induces robust protection against Staphylococcus aureus infection

Developing an effective Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) vaccine has been a challenging endeavor, as demonstrated by numerous failed clinical trials over the years. In this study, we formulated a vaccine containing a highly conserved moonlighting protein, the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex E2 subunit (PDHC), and showed that it induced strong protective immunity against epidemiologically relevant staphylococcal strains in various murine disease models. While antibody responses contributed to bacterial control, they were not essential for protective immunity in the bloodstream infection model. Conversely, vaccine-induced systemic immunity relied on γδ T cells. It has been suggested that prior S. aureus exposure may contribute to the reduction of vaccine efficacy. However, PDHC-induced protective immunity still facilitated bacterial clearance in mice previously exposed to S. aureus. Collectively, our findings indicate that PDHC is a promising serotype-independent vaccine candidate effective against both methicillin-sensitive and methicillin-resistant S. aureus isolates.

The transmission dynamics of an infectious disease model in fractional derivative with vaccination under real data

The resurgence of monkeypox causes considerable healthcare risks needing efficient immunization programs. This work investigates the monkeypox disease dynamics in the UK, focusing on the impact of vaccination under real data. The key difficulty is to correctly predict the spread of the disease and evaluate the success of immunization efforts. We construct a mathematical model for monkeypox infection and extend it to the fractional case considering the Caputo derivative. The analysis ensures the positivity, boundedness, and uniqueness of the solution for the non-integer system. We conduct a local asymptotical stability analysis (LAS) at the disease-free equilibrium (DFE) D0, showing the result for R0<1. Additionally, we demonstrate the existence of multiple endemic equilibria and provide conditions for backward bifurcation, which are illustrated graphically. Using real case data from the UK, we estimate model parameters via the nonlinear least square method. Our results show that, without vaccination, R2≈0.8, whereas vaccination reduces it to R2v=0.48. We perform sensitivity analysis to identify key parameters influencing disease elimination, presenting the outcomes through graphs. To solve numerically the fractional model, we outline a numerical scheme and provide detailed results under various parameter assumptions. Our findings suggest that high vaccine efficacy, a low waning rate of the vaccines, and increased vaccination of the infected people can significantly reduce the future cases of monkeypox in the UK. The present study offers a comprehensive framework for monkeypox dynamics and informs public health strategies for effective disease control and prevention.