Article
Immunology
M. K. Quinn, Karen M. Edmond, Wafaie W. Fawzi, Lisa Hurt, Betty R. Kirkwood, Honorati Masanja, Alfa J. Muhihi, Sam Newton, Ramadhani A. Noor, Paige L. Williams, Christopher R. Sudfeld, Emily R. Smith
Summary: This study found that infant BCG and DTP vaccinations were associated with a decreased risk of infant mortality in Ghana and Tanzania. The non-specific effects of vaccines may modify the impact of neonatal vitamin A supplementation on mortality.
Review
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Cara Lynn Kim, Suneth Agampodi, Florian Marks, Jerome H. Kim, Jean-Louis Excler
Summary: Climate change poses an unprecedented threat to human health, with resource-poor countries being predominantly affected. Vaccines and immunization are cost-effective interventions, but their potential as a major strategy in mitigating climate change-related health effects has yet to be established. This review examines the impact of climate change on vaccine-preventable diseases, including water-related diseases, vector-borne diseases, and airborne diseases. A focused evaluation of vaccine research, funding, and distribution related to climate change is necessary.
FRONTIERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Clara Clipet-Jensen, Andreas Andersen, Aksel Karl Georg Jensen, Peter Aaby, K. Zaman
Summary: The study found that administering diphtheria-tetanus-whole-cell-pertussis (DTP) with or after measles vaccine (MV) significantly reduces child survival compared to administering MV alone. Therefore, it is recommended to follow a live-vaccine-last policy to improve child survival rates.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Marco Fonzo, Annamaria Nicolli, Stefano Maso, Lorenzo Carrer, Andrea Trevisan, Chiara Bertoncello
Summary: This study investigated the relationship between overweight/obesity and antibody persistence after vaccination against measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), and hepatitis B virus (HBV). The results showed that there was no significant association between lack of serologic protection and BMI for both HBV vaccine and each component of the MMR vaccine.
Review
Immunology
Huizhi Gao, Eric H. Y. Lau, Benjamin J. Cowling
Summary: This study evaluates the duration of protective immunity provided by pertussis, diphtheria, tetanus, and polio vaccines through a systematic review and meta-analysis. The research finds that immunity for pertussis and diphtheria may decline over time, while tetanus and polio vaccines offer sustained protection. Further research is needed to understand the risk factors of declining immunity after vaccination and determine the optimal timing for booster doses of pertussis and diphtheria vaccines.
JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Margaret K. Doll, John W. Correira
Summary: The 2014-15 Disneyland measles outbreak sparked an international conversation about measles, vaccine hesitancy, and vaccine policies. Media coverage focused on vaccine hesitancy as a primary driver of the outbreak. Some hypothesized that the outbreak might have a positive influence on the uptake of pediatric measles vaccine.
HUMAN VACCINES & IMMUNOTHERAPEUTICS
(2021)
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Lucy Denly
Summary: Current evidence does not support the existence of sex differences in the immunogenicity, effectiveness, or efficacy of seasonal influenza vaccines, but females report adverse events following immunization more frequently than males. Further controlled studies are needed to draw conclusions about potential sex differences in response to these vaccines.
HUMAN VACCINES & IMMUNOTHERAPEUTICS
(2021)
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Pouria Mosaddeghi, Farbod Shahabinezhad, Mohammadreza Dorvash, Mojtaba Goodarzi, Manica Negahdaripour
Summary: No proven remedy for COVID-19 has been identified yet. Boosting immune responses may be beneficial as impaired immunity activation in some patients leads to high mortalities. Co-administration of BCG vaccine with interferon-alpha/-beta or influenza vaccine is suggested as a potential strategy to overcome its shortcomings and enhance immune defenses against COVID-19. Further studies are recommended to assess the outcomes of such interventions and potential adverse effects.
HUMAN VACCINES & IMMUNOTHERAPEUTICS
(2021)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Ludoviko Zirimenya, Gyaviira Nkurunungi, Jacent Nassuuna, Agnes Natukunda, Alex Mutebe, Gloria Oduru, Grace Kabami, Hellen Akurut, Caroline Onen, Milly Namutebi, Joel Serubanja, Esther Nakazibwe, Florence Akello, Josephine Tumusiime, Moses Sewankambo, Samuel Kiwanuka, Fred Kiwudhu, Robert Kizindo, Moses Kizza, Anne Wajja, Stephen Cose, Moses Muwanga, Emily Webb, Alison M. Elliott
Summary: This is a randomized controlled trial studying the effects of BCG immunization on subsequent unrelated vaccines among adolescents. The study will assess the impact of BCG on antibody titres post-immunization with various vaccines and explore potential correlations with protective immunity and priming versus boosting effects. Results will be shared with relevant authorities and disseminated through conferences and publications.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Christine S. Benn, Frederik Schaltz-Buchholzer, Sebastian Nielsen, Mihai G. Netea, Peter Aaby
Summary: We reviewed the randomized control trials of mRNA and adenovirus-vector COVID-19 vaccines to examine their possible non-specific effects. The mortality risk ratios (RRs) for mRNA COVID-19 vaccines vs. placebo recipients and adenovirus-vector COVID-19 vaccine recipients vs. controls were calculated. The overall mortality RR for mRNA vaccines vs. placebo was 1.03 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.63-1.71), while for adenovirus-vector vaccines, it was 0.37 (0.19-0.70). There was a significant difference between the two vaccine types in terms of overall mortality impact (p = 0.015). The unblinded and vaccinated control groups in the COVID-19 vaccine RCTs may not represent long-term effects. Randomized control trials comparing long-term effects on overall mortality between mRNA and adenovirus-vector vaccines are warranted.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Nicola P. Klein, Ousseny Zerbo, Kristin Goddard, Weiqi Wang, Alison E. Fohner, Amy Wiesner, Vida Shokoohi, John Coller, Karin Bok, Hayley A. Gans
Summary: Children have an increased risk of elevated fever after receiving the first dose of a measles-containing vaccine, possibly influenced by genetic, immunologic, and clinical factors. A subset of children showed associations between fever after vaccination and specific genetic factors, as well as a stronger immune response in those with fever.
HUMAN VACCINES & IMMUNOTHERAPEUTICS
(2021)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Zhen Long, Chen Wei, Robert Ross, Xi Luo, Xiao Ma, Yingzi Qi, Ruiping Chai, Jianming Cao, Min Huang, Tao Bo
Summary: This study investigated the effects of formaldehyde on industrial TTd and DTd, revealing the detoxification process and structural changes of toxoids. The results showed that TTd and DTd obtained from mild detoxification conditions had higher glycosylation and less impact on foreign proteins. Thus, it is suggested to use mild detoxification conditions when preparing TTd and DTd.
JOURNAL OF CHROMATOGRAPHY B-ANALYTICAL TECHNOLOGIES IN THE BIOMEDICAL AND LIFE SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Ousseny Zerbo, Sharareh Modaressi, Kristin Goddard, Edwin Lewis, Bruce Fireman, Matthew F. Daley, Stephanie A. Irving, Lisa A. Jackson, James G. Donahue, Lei Qian, Darios Getahun, Frank DeStefano, Michael M. McNeil, Nicola P. Klein
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the risk of fever, febrile seizures, and emergency department visits after measles or pertussis vaccination in children aged 4-7 years with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). The analysis showed no significant difference in the occurrence of fever or ED visits between children with and without ASD following measles or pertussis vaccinations. These findings provide reassurance regarding the safety of these vaccines for all children, including those with ASD.
Article
Immunology
Wei Lv, Pu He, Yanlin Ma, Daquan Tan, Fei Li, Tao Xie, Jiangyuan Han, Juan Wang, Youjun Mi, Hongxia Niu, Bingdong Zhu
Summary: Optimizing the boosting schedule of subunit vaccines can enhance long-term protection against tuberculosis. Boosting with MH twice or immunizing with EC thrice after BCG priming can improve immune memory and increase protection against bacteria.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Esther Broset, Juan Calvet Seral, Carmen Arnal, Santiago Uranga, Alex Kanno, Luciana C. C. Leite, Carlos Martin, Jesus Gonzalo-Asensio
Summary: Live vaccines like MTBVAC have been developed as genetic platforms for antigen delivery, aiming to improve protection against various pathogens. By optimizing genetic components and signal sequences, DTP antigens can be successfully expressed and secreted by MTBVAC, leading to specific antibody responses in vaccinated animals.
COMPUTATIONAL AND STRUCTURAL BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Christian Bjerregard Oland, Soren Wengel Mogensen, Amabelia Rodrigues, Christine S. Benn, Peter Aaby
Summary: The study revealed that children vaccinated with DTP and/or OPV between 3-35 months of age had higher mortality rates compared to unvaccinated children or those who received OPV only. Different mortality rates were observed among vaccination groups in specific age ranges.
CLINICAL THERAPEUTICS
(2021)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Thomas Engell-Sorensen, Andreas Rieckmann, Candida Medina, David da Silva Te, Amabelia Rodrigues, Ane Baerent Fisker, Peter Aaby, Christian Erikstrup, Sanne Jespersen, Christian Wejse, Bo Langhoff Honge
Summary: The study aimed to estimate the life expectancy of HIV-infected patients in Guinea-Bissau and compare it with the background population. The results showed that the life expectancy of HIV-infected patients was significantly lower compared to the background population, with no improvement observed over time in Bissau.
Article
Immunology
Kristoffer Jarlov Jensen, Lola Kathe Tolstrup, Darryn L. Knobel, Peter Aaby, Gregers Jungersen, Lars Erik Larsen, Charlotte Sonne Kristensen, Christine Stabell Benn
Summary: This study investigated the non-specific effects (NSE) of non-live rabies vaccine in piglets and the potential modifying effect of maternal priming with the rabies vaccine. The results showed that the rabies vaccine may have a beneficial effect in female piglets, but a negative effect in (castrated) male piglets from rabies-naive sows. However, these effects had waned by 12 weeks of age.
Article
Immunology
Marcus Kjaer Sorensen, Frederik Schaltz-Buchholzer, Andreas Moller Jensen, Sebastian Nielsen, Ivan Monteiro, Peter Aaby, Christine Stabell Benn
Summary: This study conducted a trial on low weight infants in Guinea-Bissau and did not find an association between early diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (DTP) vaccine administration and increased mortality in female infants. The differences in results compared to previous studies may be partly due to a decline in overall mortality and changes in vaccination practices.
Article
Immunology
Frederik Schaltz-Buchholzer, Adam Roth, L. Charlotte J. de Bree, Sofie Biering-Sorensen, Clara Amalie Gade Timmermann, Ivan Monteiro, Peter Aaby, Christine Stabell Benn
Summary: The study found a strong association between TST reactions and reduced mortality among BCG-vaccinated infants, particularly those with positive TST reactions at 6 months. Meta-analysis also showed a consistent pattern of reduced mortality associated with TST reactivity, with a stronger protective effect observed for TST responses at 2 months. Improved vaccination techniques and specific BCG strains could increase TST reaction prevalence, enhancing the beneficial non-specific effects of BCG.
Article
Immunology
Frederik Schaltz-Buchholzer, Marcus Kjaer Sorensen, Christine Stabell Benn, Peter Aaby
Summary: BCG vaccination may provide protection against childhood mortality, reducing both tuberculosis-related deaths and deaths from respiratory infections.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Peter Aaby, Heike Thoma, Klaus Dietz
Summary: This study examined measles mortality in an isolated German village, revealing that nearly all children under 14 years of age were affected by the epidemic. The overall case fatality ratio was 6.4%, with a higher rate of mortality observed among boys infected by girls in the household.
JOURNAL OF INFECTION
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Frederik Schaltz-Buchholzer, Christian Bjerregard Oland, Mike Berendsen, Morten Bjerregaard-Andersen, Elise Brenno Stjernholm, Christian N. Golding, Ivan Monteiro, Peter Aaby, Christine Stabell Benn
Summary: Maternal BCG vaccination is associated with a reduced risk of severe infection in newborns, especially for males. Providing BCG to adults without a vaccination scar might enhance their offspring's capacity to handle severe infections.
JOURNAL OF INFECTION
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
C. S. Benn, A. Salinha, S. Mendes, C. Cabral, C. Martins, S. Nielsen, A. B. Fisker, F. Schaltz-Buchholzer, C. S. Jorgensen, P. Aaby
Summary: Despite the low official number of COVID-19 cases, a study in urban Guinea-Bissau found a high prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibody positivity. Most of the antibody-positive individuals had not been ill. The official PCR-confirmed COVID-19 cases have significantly underestimated the prevalence of COVID-19 during the pandemic.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Andreas Rieckmann, Ane Baerent Fisker, Christian Bjerregard oland, Sebastian Nielsen, Rasmus Wibaek, Tina Bonde Sorensen, Cesario Lourenco Martins, Christine Stabell Benn, Peter Aaby
Summary: Malnutrition is an important contributing factor to child mortality in Guinea-Bissau. Despite a significant decline in child mortality, changes in the mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) distribution explain only a small portion of the decline. Understanding the driving factors of child mortality decline can inform future interventions.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EPIDEMIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Frederik Schaltz-Buchholzer, Peter Aaby, Isaquel Silva, Ivan Monteiro, Tobias R. Kollmann, Nelly Amenyogbe, Morten Bjerregaard-Andersen, Christine Stabell Benn
Summary: This study suggests that maternal BCG vaccine may be associated with reduced overall NICU mortality rate in newborns.
JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Review
Immunology
Peter Aaby, Sebastian Nielsen, Ane B. Fisker, Line M. Pedersen, Paul Welaga, Syed M. A. Hanifi, Cesario L. Martins, Amabelia Rodrigues, Konstantin Chumakov, Christine S. Benn
Summary: Oral polio vaccine (OPV) has beneficial non-specific effects (NSEs) in reducing non-polio child mortality. OPV coadministered with diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (DTP) vaccine is associated with lower mortality compared to DTP-only, while absence of OPV is associated with higher mortality. Early use of OPV also reduces infant mortality.
OPEN FORUM INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Review
Infectious Diseases
Christine S. Benn, Peter Aaby
Summary: Measles vaccine may have beneficial effects beyond preventing measles infection, possibly due to measles-induced immune amnesia or beneficial non-specific immune training effects. Epidemiological studies support the hypothesis of immune amnesia, but there are also contradictory observations.
JOURNAL OF INFECTION
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Anne Marie Rosendahl Madsen, Frederik Schaltz-Buchholzer, Sebastian Nielsen, Thomas Benfield, Morten Bjerregaard-Andersen, Lars Skov Dalgaard, Christine Dam, Sisse Bolm Ditlev, Gulia Faizi, Mihnaz Azizi, Zainab Nadhim Hameed, Isik Somuncu Johansen, Poul-Erik Kofoed, Tyra Grove Krause, Gitte Schultz Kristensen, Ellen Christine Leth Loekkegaard, Christian Backer Mogensen, Libin Mohamed, Emilie Sundhaugen Oedegaard, Anne Ostenfeld, Marcus Kjaer Soerensen, Christian Wejse, Mihai G. Netea, Peter Aaby, Christine Stabell Benn
Summary: In a randomized clinical trial among Danish health care workers, BCG vaccination had no overall effect on absenteeism, COVID-19 incidence, hospitalization risk, or self-reported infectious diseases. BCG revaccination was associated with increased COVID-19 incidence, but reduced hospitalization risk.
JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Sanne Marie Thysen, Andreas Moller Jensen, Julie Odgaard Vedel, Igualdino da Silva Borges, Peter Aaby, Aksel Karl Georg Jensen, Christine Stabell Benn, Ane Baerent Fisker
Summary: The study aims to assess the impact of providing BCG vaccine at the first health-facility contact on early infant mortality and morbidity in a rural setting in Guinea-Bissau.