Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD): Clinical and Immunological Effects of Mono-Vaccination Against Influenza Using an Immunoadjuvant Vaccine of a New Class Versus Combined Administration S. pneumoniae, H. influenzae, and Influenza Vaccines

In Russian Federation, 27,300,000–41,200,000 acute upper and lower respiratory infections are reported annually. Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are at higher risk of severe course, complications, and lethal outcomes of influenza. About 30% of COPD exacerbations are due to viral infections, and influenza A and B viruses are among the most common causes. The aim of our study was to assess exacerbation rate, number of courses of antibiotic chemotherapy, pulmonary function, and immunological effects of mono-vaccination with a new immunoadjuvant influenza vaccine vs. combined vaccination against pneumococcal infection, Hemophilus type b infection, and influenza in COPD patients. Both complex vaccination against Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae type b, and influenza and mono-vaccination with a new immunoadjuvant influenza vaccine led to statistically significant reduction in the number of COPD exacerbations and of antibiotic chemotherapy courses. Based on the obtained results, widespread implementation of mono-vaccination against influenza with a new immunoadjuvant influenza vaccine, as well as complex vaccination against bacterial respiratory infections and influenza can be recommended for COPD patients, as vaccination is beneficial for their functional status, that is, improves forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) and 6-minute walk test results. In our study, we evaluated immunogenicity of the new influenza immunoadjuvant vaccine administered as mono-vaccine to COPD patients in accordance with Committee for Proprietary Medicinal Products (CPMP) requirements

Anogenital Warts: New Opportunities for Prevention and Treatment

The study aims at evaluating the efficacy of combined administration of imiquimod 5% crème and human papillomavirus (HPV) quadrivalent recombinant vaccine in order to achieve a long‐term clinical remission in patients with chronic HPV infection manifested in condyloma accuminata (CA) of the anogenital area. The study enrolled 36 subjects aged 26.4 (4.1) years (including 22 men) with one to five condyloma accuminata of the anogenital area. Study participants were vaccinated with human papillomavirus quadrivalent recombinant vaccine using a 0–2–6‐month regimen with concomitant administration of imiquimod 5% crème applied three times per week for not more than 16 weeks. Patients were monitored over 2 years. Complete disappearance of condyloma accuminata was observed in 34 out of 36 subjects (94.4%) after 1 year from the start of treatment. Two patients still having condyloma accuminata of the anogenital area after 1 year of combination treatment underwent a successful course of treatment with Solcoderm (one patient for 1 year 3 months and the other for 1 year 4 months), which resulted in complete disappearance of condyloma accuminata. Within 2‐year period, no recurrence of condyloma accuminata of the anogenital area has been observed

The Impact of Adjuvanted and Non-Adjuvanted Influenza Vaccines on the Innate and Adaptive Immunity Effectors

To date, the advantage of adjuvanted over non-adjuvanted vaccines in the specific antibodies formation is proved. However, cellular mechanisms, including parameters of the innate immunity, involved in the vaccine-induced immune response are not well studied. The human study of inactivated vaccines showed that both subunit vaccine and split vaccine induced cellular immune response, but adjuvanted vaccine containing Polyoxidonium had the greatest potential. Despite the fact that influenza vaccines must activate endosomal receptors, they cause non-specific activation of the surface TLRs. They can trigger intracellular signals leading to the induction of antiviral mechanisms and to the activation of the body’s protective resources against microbial infections. To assess the immunological efficacy of adjuvanted vaccines and humoral reactions to vaccination it is necessary to evaluate activation of cellular mechanisms of innate and adaptive immunity

The Efficacy of Immunoadjuvant-Containing Influenza Vaccines in Pregnancy

The aim of the work was to determine the clinical safety and immunogenicity of immunoadjuvant vaccines against influenza (MonoGripol Plus and Grippol® Plus) in 182 pregnant women in the II and III trimesters of gestation, and further assessment of fetal conditions and infants of the first 6 months of life. Results: It was shown that immunoadjuvant vaccines do not have a negative effect on the physiological course of pregnancy and the functional state of the fetoplacental complex. In the early postpartum period, the rates of physical and neuro-psychological development and the nature of feeding of children did not differ from the control group. In pregnant women vaccinated with Grippol® plus, the levels of seroprotection to strains of A/H1N1/v are 82.0%, A/H3N2/—88.0%, B—88.3% that measure the CPMP criteria and last more than a year . After birth, transplacental antibodies in children in protective values were observed in 52.3–68.9% of cases, did not differ from the control group, and disappear after 6 months. Respiratory infections during the first 6 months of life of infants born from mothers vaccinated against influenza registered in 1.8 times less frequently

Вакцинопрофилактика пневмококковой инфекции у детей

Pneumococcal infection remains one of the leading reasons for infant mortality from vaccine-preventable infections. Today vaccination is the most effective way to prevent diseases caused by antibiotic-resistant pneumococci. In the article, authors present current approaches to vaccinal prevention of pneumococcal diseases. The plan of action for carrying out active immunoprophylaxis of pneumococcal infection is explained in detail for both healthy children and patients from risk groups for severe pneumococcal diseases development. The published work is based on key points of the guidelines of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation on vaccinal prevention of pneumococcal infection (developed and approved by the professional association of pediatricians «The Union of Pediatricians of Russia»).Пневмококковая инфекция остается одной из ведущих причин детской смертности от вакциноуправляемых инфекций. Вакцинация на сегодняшний день является наиболее эффективным направлением профилактики заболеваний, вызываемых устойчивыми к антибактериальным препаратам пневмококкам. В статье коллективом авторов представлены актуальные подходы к вакцинопрофилактике болезней пневмококковой этиологии. Подробно разъяснен алгоритм действий при проведении активной иммунопрофилактики пневмококковой инфекции как здоровых детей, так и пациентов из групп риска по развитию тяжелых форм пневмококковых заболеваний. Публикация основана на ключевых позициях методических рекомендаций Министерства здравоохранения РФ по вакцинопрофилактике пневмококковой инфекции (разработанных и утвержденных профессиональной ассоциацией детских врачей «Союз педиатров России»).КОНФЛИКТ ИНТЕРЕСОВАвторы статьи подтвердили отсутствие конфликта интересов, о котором необходимо сообщить

Ротавирусная инфекция у детей — нерешенная проблема. Обзор рекомендаций по вакцинопрофилактике

These clinical guidelines were developed by the professional association of pediatric specialists «Union of Pediatricians of Russia» and approved by the Association’s Executive Committee at the Congress of Pediatricians of Russia «Actual Problems of Pediatrics». Clinical guidelines are devoted to the problem of rotavirus infection, the relevance of which is determined by the high prevalence level and significant contribution of infectious diarrhea to the mortality pattern of children in the first 5 years of life. We present epidemiological data and detailed information on the infectious agent and pathogenesis of rotavirus infection progression. A detailed picture of clinical manifestations as well as extraintestinal complications is presented. The approach to specific prophylaxis has been reasoned. Practical recommendations for immunization as well as various regimens for administering the vaccine, depending on the age and condition of the patient, are given.Данные клинические рекомендации разработаны профессиональной ассоциацией детских специалистов «Союз педиатров России» и утверждены Исполкомом ассоциации на Съезде педиатров России «Актуальные проблемы педиатрии». Клинические рекомендации посвящены проблеме ротавирусной инфекции, актуальность которой определяется высоким уровнем распространенности и значительным вкладом инфекционной диареи в структуру смертности детей первых 5 лет жизни. Приводятся эпидемиологические данные, подробно описаны особенности возбудителя, патогенез развития ротавирусной инфекции. Представлена развернутая картина клинических проявлений, а также внекишечных осложнений. Обоснована тактика специфической профилактики. Даны практические рекомендации по проведению иммунизации, а также различные схемы введения вакцины в зависимости от возраста и состояния пациента

Immune mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2 and potential drugs in the prevention and treatment of COVID-19

The lack of specific vaccines against SARS-CoV-2, as well as chemotherapy, significantly affected the spread of infection and the number of adverse outcomes of COVID-19. With the discovery of the pathogenesis of coronavirus infection, especially immune mechanisms, the important role of the innate immunity system in interacting with the virus is obvious. The presence of comorbid conditions, as well as the aging of the body, lead to disturbances in the immune response mechanism, low interferon induction, depletion of CD8 -lymphocytes and natural killers and suppression of the effectiveness of both innate and adaptive immunity. The review discusses various mechanisms of antiviral activity associated with the induction of interferon (IFN) production, the use of direct IFN therapy, the use of antiviral drugs, and immunotropic therapy (synthetic immunomodulators), as promising in the prevention and treatment of COVID-19.

Prospective randomized open-label comparative study of immunogenicity after subunit and polymeric subunit influenza vaccines administration among mothers and infants

Pregnant women are risk group for influenza infection. Results of new subunit vaccines application have not been studied enough. Prospective, randomized, open-label comparative study of subunit (Agrippal) and polymeric subunit (Grippol plus) vaccines. 42 pairs of mothers-infants were participated in the study. Protective antibodies (≥ 1:40) to different influenza strains were registered on day 1 after the birth on the same level as 53% of cases in pairs mothers-infants after immune adjuvant polymeric subunit and subunit vaccines administration. There were the same level of protective antibodies (AB) among mothers after 3 month, but transplacental antibodies decreased among infants and registered in the 13–22% cases of Grippol plus group and 31–43% cases in Agrippal S1 group. AB titre to influenza virus A/H1N1/pdm09 and A/H3N2/in pairs mothers-infants were the same in both groups in first days after birth, but AB levels to B strain were lower among infants without regard to vaccine. There is no difference in AB titres among infants of both groups at 3 month of age, but their levels were twice lower versus initial data. An immune adjuvant polymeric subunit as well as subunit vaccines application in pregnant women forms protective AB in pairs mothers-infants

Mucosal immunity in health care workers’ respiratory tracts in the post-COVID-19 period

Abstract Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has generated interest in the assessment of systemic immune status, but existing knowledge about mucosal immunity is clearly insufficient to understand the full pathogenetic mechanisms of the disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term effects of novel coronavirus infection on mucosal immunity in the postinfection period among health care workers (HCWs). A total of 180 health care workers with and without a history of COVID-19 who ranged in age from 18 to 65 years were enrolled in this one-stage, cross-sectional study. The study subjects completed the 36-Item Short Form (36) Health Survey (SF-36) and the Fatigue Assessment Scale. Secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA) and total immunoglobulin G (IgG) levels were quantified in saliva samples, induced sputum samples, and nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal scrapings by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Specific anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies were quantified in serum samples by chemiluminescence immunoassay. Analysis of the questionnaire data showed that all HCWs with a history of COVID-19 reported health problems that limited their daily activities and negative changes in their emotional health three months after the disease, regardless of its severity. The following shifts were detected in the adaptive arm of the immune response in different mucosal compartments. Among subjects who had severe or moderate-to-severe COVID-19, salivary sIgA levels were significantly higher than those in the control group (p < 0.05 and p < 0.005, respectively). Compared to the subjects in the control group, all subjects with prior COVID-19 had significantly higher levels of total IgG in induced sputum. In the group of patients who had had severe infection, total IgG in saliva was also higher (p < 0.05). A direct statistically significant correlation was also detected between the levels of total IgG in all studied samples and the levels of specific IgG antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 in the serum. A significant correlation was observed between total IgG levels and the parameters of physical and social activities, mental health, and fatigue levels. Our study demonstrated long-term changes in the humoral mucosal immune response, which were most pronounced in health care workers with a history of severe or moderate-to-severe COVID-19, and an association of these changes with certain clinical signs of post-COVID-19 syndrome

Gender Differences in the Level of Antibodies to Measles Virus in Adults

Individuals without a protective antibody level are susceptible to measles infection. There are differences in the persistence of antibodies after vaccination and infection, while the impact of gender on this process has not been sufficiently studied. Measles Ig G antibodies were measured in 1742 employees of a large hospital facility—403 men and 1339 women aged from 25 to 67 years; 15% participants had antibody levels less than the protective threshold of ≥0.18 IU/mL. Significant differences were found in the age group 40–49, where the level of IgG antibodies to measles among men was higher than among women (1.51 IU/mL (0.41; 3.38) vs. 0.70 IU/mL (0.22;1.98) respectively, (U = 3.2, p = 0,001)); in the age group 60 and older, by contrast, the level of antibodies among women was higher compared to men (3.29 IU/mL (1.72; 4.07) vs. 2.90 IU/mL (1.46; 3.53) respectively (U = 2.2, p = 0.03)). The proportion of seronegative women in the age group 40–49 was significantly higher than of seronegative men: 22 [18–26]% and 11 [6–18]% respectively (χ2 = 7.0, p = 0.001). The revealed gender characteristics that affect persistence of measles immunity may be important in personalization of vaccinal prevention for men and women