1
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Stroffolini T, Stroffolini G. Vaccination in Patients with Liver Cirrhosis: A Neglected Topic. Vaccines (Basel) 2024; 12:715. [PMID: 39066353 PMCID: PMC11281357 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines12070715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2024] [Revised: 06/20/2024] [Accepted: 06/26/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Patients with liver cirrhosis, due to their weakened innate and adaptive immunity, are more prone to frequent and severe vaccine-preventable infections. Moreover, impaired adaptive immunity results in a limited antibody response to vaccines. Despite this suboptimal antibody response, vaccines have proven to be very effective in reducing severe outcomes and deaths in these patients. In the Western world, regulatory authorities and scientific liver societies (e.g., AASLD and EASL) have recommended vaccinations for cirrhotic patients. However, despite these strong recommendations, vaccine coverage remains suboptimal. Improving vaccine effectiveness and safety information, providing comprehensive counseling to patients, fact-checking to combat fake news and disinformation and removing barriers to vaccination for disadvantaged individuals may help overcome the low coverage rate. In view of this, vaccines should be administered early in the course of chronic liver diseases, as their efficacy declines with the increasing severity of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tommaso Stroffolini
- Department of Tropical and Infectious Diseases, Policlinico Umberto I, 00161 Rome, Italy;
| | - Giacomo Stroffolini
- Department of Infectious-Tropical Diseases and Microbiology, IRCCS Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital, Via Don A. Sempreboni, 5, 37024 Verona, Italy
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2
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Perrone PM, Scarioni S, Astorri E, Marrocu C, Tiwana N, Letzgus M, Borriello C, Castaldi S. Vaccination Open Day: A Cross-Sectional Study on the 2023 Experience in Lombardy Region, Italy. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2024; 21:685. [PMID: 38928932 PMCID: PMC11203413 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph21060685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2024] [Revised: 05/20/2024] [Accepted: 05/25/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Vaccination is a highly effective tool for controlling infectious diseases, particularly in populations at high risk of contagion due to clinical conditions or occupational exposure, such as healthcare workers. The purpose of this study is to present the open day event that marked the beginning of the influenza and anti-COVID-19 vaccination campaign in the Lombardy region and to describe the experience of an Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico in Milan. METHODS During the vaccination open day, eligible individuals received free vaccinations for influenza, COVID-19, pneumococcal disease, and shingles, as provided by the Lombardy Agenzia per la Tutela della Salute. In celebration of the centenary of the Università degli Studi di Milano, the Fondazione Ca'Granda Ospedale Policlinico, a contracted hospital of the university, created a special electronic diary for a total of 150 individuals, equally divided between children aged 2-6, pregnant women, and university staff. RESULTS At the regional level, a total of 6634 influenza vaccines, 2055 anti-COVID-19 vaccines, 108 anti-pneumococcal vaccines, and 37 anti-zoster vaccines were administered. A total of 3134 (47.3%) influenza vaccines, 1151 (56%) anti-COVID-19 vaccines, and 77 (62%) anti-pneumococcal vaccines, were given to individuals aged 60-79. No differences were observed between the total number of male and female vaccinees (1017 and 1038, respectively), who received the anti-COVID-19 vaccine. At the Policlinico Foundation, out of 150 available booking slots, 154 vaccines were administered, including 117 influenza vaccines. CONCLUSIONS The establishment of vaccine open days is a beneficial way to increase vaccine compliance. Co-administration of little-known vaccinations outside of healthcare settings could also be a useful tool.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pier Mario Perrone
- Department Biomedical Sciences for Health, University of Milan, 20133 Milan, Italy; (S.S.); (E.A.); (C.M.); (S.C.)
| | - Simona Scarioni
- Department Biomedical Sciences for Health, University of Milan, 20133 Milan, Italy; (S.S.); (E.A.); (C.M.); (S.C.)
| | - Elisa Astorri
- Department Biomedical Sciences for Health, University of Milan, 20133 Milan, Italy; (S.S.); (E.A.); (C.M.); (S.C.)
| | - Chiara Marrocu
- Department Biomedical Sciences for Health, University of Milan, 20133 Milan, Italy; (S.S.); (E.A.); (C.M.); (S.C.)
| | - Navpreet Tiwana
- Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milan, Italy; (N.T.); (M.L.)
| | - Matteo Letzgus
- Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milan, Italy; (N.T.); (M.L.)
| | - Catia Borriello
- Vaccination Unit, ASST Fatebenefratelli Sacco, 20131 Milan, Italy;
- Directorate General for Health, Lombardy Region, 20124 Milan, Italy
| | - Silvana Castaldi
- Department Biomedical Sciences for Health, University of Milan, 20133 Milan, Italy; (S.S.); (E.A.); (C.M.); (S.C.)
- Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milan, Italy; (N.T.); (M.L.)
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3
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Bianchi FP, Stefanizzi P, Cuscianna E, Di Lorenzo A, Migliore G, Tafuri S, Germinario CA. Influenza vaccine coverage in 6months-64 years-old patients affected by chronic diseases: A retrospective cohort study in Italy. Hum Vaccin Immunother 2023; 19:2162301. [PMID: 36715009 PMCID: PMC10012954 DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2022.2162301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
At the beginning of each flu season, the Italian Ministry of Health defines the categories at higher risk of influenza complications, for which vaccination is actively and freely offered. The vaccine coverage (VC) of the influenza vaccine in subjects from 6 months to 64 years of age suffering from diseases that increase the risk of complications from influenza during the 2020-2021 season was evaluated. Our study wants to evaluate the VCs of the influenza vaccine in these subjects during the 2020/2021 season in Apulia. The digital archives relative to the Apulian population were used. A retrospective cohort study design was performed. 484,636 Apulian residents aged between 6 months and 64 years suffered from at least one chronic disease; 139,222 of 484,636 subjects received the influenza vaccine (VC: 28.7%) from October 2020 to January 2021. Considering the single comorbidities, the greatest values are found for pathologies for which major surgical interventions are planned and chronic renal failure/adrenal insufficiency patients, while the worst for chronic liver diseases and pathologies for which major surgical interventions are planned. In any case, it would seem that better VC is achieved in subjects with more than one chronic condition. Influenza vaccination must be promoted as a central public health measure, also because by reducing the burden on hospitals, it can greatly benefit the management of COVID-19 patients. Greater efforts by public health institutions must be implemented in order to achieve better VC in the target categories, including chronic patients.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Pasquale Stefanizzi
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, Aldo Moro University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Eustachio Cuscianna
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, Aldo Moro University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Antonio Di Lorenzo
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, Aldo Moro University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Giovanni Migliore
- Health Direction, Bari Policlinico University General Hospital, Bari, Italy
| | - Silvio Tafuri
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, Aldo Moro University of Bari, Bari, Italy
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4
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Bianchi FP, Losito F, Labarile N, Shahini E, Cozzolongo R. Prevention of influenza complications in patients with liver disease: a retrospective cohort study. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1288126. [PMID: 38186701 PMCID: PMC10771385 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1288126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Patients with chronic liver disease are highly prone to acquiring influenza infection diseases and experiencing associated complications. National and international guidelines recommend the influenza vaccine for patients with liver disorders to reduce the risk of influenza complications. Our study aims to evaluate the risk of flu complications faced by patients with liver disease and assess influenza vaccination coverage. Methods The archive of hospital discharge forms was used to define the list of Apulian patients with liver disease, considering data from 2017 through 2022. The vaccination status of these patients was assessed via data collected from the Regional Immunization Database. We focused on influenza vaccine shots administered during the 2020/21, 2021/22, and 2022/23 flu seasons. Results A declining trend across the flu seasons was observed, with a VC of 49.5% in the 2020/21 flu season, 48.1% in the 2021/22 season, and 45.0% in the 2022/23 season. Subjects with multiple comorbidities have higher vaccination rates. Additionally, the multivariate models demonstrate that vaccination compliance increases with age and is strongly associated with having received a previous influenza vaccine shot. Conclusion The VC rates reported in our study are unsatisfactory and did not reach the minimum achievable goal (75%) the Italian Ministry of Health set. A multifactorial approach is required to raise the immunization rates and therefore protect the patients from the influenza-associated risk of collateral liver damage; the role of gastroenterologists and hepatologists is crucial, as their responsibilities should extend beyond patient care to the prevention of complications after infectious diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Francesco Losito
- Gastroenterology Unit, National Institute of Gastroenterology, IRCCS S. De Bellis, Research Hospital, Castellana Grotte, Italy
| | - Nunzia Labarile
- Gastroenterology Unit, National Institute of Gastroenterology, IRCCS S. De Bellis, Research Hospital, Castellana Grotte, Italy
| | - Endrit Shahini
- Gastroenterology Unit, National Institute of Gastroenterology, IRCCS S. De Bellis, Research Hospital, Castellana Grotte, Italy
| | - Raffaele Cozzolongo
- Gastroenterology Unit, National Institute of Gastroenterology, IRCCS S. De Bellis, Research Hospital, Castellana Grotte, Italy
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5
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Cossiga V, Capasso M, Guarino M, Loperto I, Brusa S, Cutolo FM, Attanasio MR, Lieto R, Portella G, Morisco F. Safety and Immunogenicity of Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Booster Dose in Patients with Chronic Liver Disease. J Clin Med 2023; 12:jcm12062281. [PMID: 36983282 PMCID: PMC10056762 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12062281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2023] [Revised: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The low response to vaccines is a well-known problem in cirrhosis. We evaluated the safety and immunogenicity of booster doses in patients with chronic liver disease (CLD), comparing the humoral response in cirrhotic vs. non-cirrhotic patients, and the impact of different factors on immune response. From September 2021 to April 2022, outpatients with CLD who completed the primary vaccination course and the booster dose against SARS-CoV-2 were enrolled. Blood samples were collected after second and third doses for detecting anti-spike protein IgG. We enrolled 340 patients; among them, 91 subjects were cirrhotic. After primary vaccination course, 60 (17.6%) patients did not develop a positive antibody titer, without significant differences between cirrhotic and non-cirrhotic patients (p = 0.076); most of them (88.3%) developed it after booster dose. At multivariable analysis, factors associated with higher humoral response after booster dose were only porto-sinusoidal vascular disorder (p = 0.007) as an etiology of CLD and the use of the mRNA-1273 vaccine (p = 0.001). In conclusion, in patients with CLD, a booster dose against SARS-CoV-2 induces an excellent immunogenicity and leads to an adequate antibody response. Cirrhosis is not associated with a worse humoral response, compared to patients with non-cirrhotic CLD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Cossiga
- Diseases of the Liver and Biliary System Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples “Federico II”, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Mario Capasso
- Diseases of the Liver and Biliary System Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples “Federico II”, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Maria Guarino
- Diseases of the Liver and Biliary System Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples “Federico II”, 80131 Naples, Italy
- Correspondence:
| | - Ilaria Loperto
- UOC Epidemiologia e Prevenzione e Registro Tumori, ASL Napoli 1 Centro, 80148 Naples, Italy
| | - Stefano Brusa
- Department of Translational Medical Science, University of Naples “Federico II”, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Francesco Maria Cutolo
- Diseases of the Liver and Biliary System Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples “Federico II”, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Maria Rosaria Attanasio
- Diseases of the Liver and Biliary System Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples “Federico II”, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Raffaele Lieto
- Diseases of the Liver and Biliary System Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples “Federico II”, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Portella
- Department of Translational Medical Science, University of Naples “Federico II”, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Filomena Morisco
- Diseases of the Liver and Biliary System Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples “Federico II”, 80131 Naples, Italy
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Itzel T, Falconer T, Daza J, Roig A, Park J, Cheong JY, Park RW, Wiest I, Ebert M, Hripcsak G, Teufel A. Letter to the editor: vaccination against upper respiratory infections is a matter of survival in alcoholic liver disease. Gut 2023; 72:208-209. [PMID: 35304424 PMCID: PMC9763229 DOI: 10.1136/gutjnl-2022-327086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2022] [Accepted: 02/24/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Timo Itzel
- Department of Medicine II, Division of Hepatology, Division of Bioinformatics, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Healthy Metabolism, Center for Preventive Medicine and Digital Health Baden-Württemberg (CPDBW), Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Thomas Falconer
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Jimmy Daza
- Department of Medicine II, Division of Hepatology, Division of Bioinformatics, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Healthy Metabolism, Center for Preventive Medicine and Digital Health Baden-Württemberg (CPDBW), Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Ana Roig
- Department of Medicine II, Division of Hepatology, Division of Bioinformatics, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Healthy Metabolism, Center for Preventive Medicine and Digital Health Baden-Württemberg (CPDBW), Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Jimyung Park
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ajou University Graduate School of Medicine, Suwon, Korea (the Republic of)
| | - Jae Youn Cheong
- Department of Gastroenterology, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Korea (the Republic of)
| | - Rae Woong Park
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ajou University Graduate School of Medicine, Suwon, Korea (the Republic of)
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Korea (the Republic of)
| | - Isabella Wiest
- Department of Medicine II, Division of Hepatology, Division of Bioinformatics, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Healthy Metabolism, Center for Preventive Medicine and Digital Health Baden-Württemberg (CPDBW), Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Matthias Ebert
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Healthy Metabolism, Center for Preventive Medicine and Digital Health Baden-Württemberg (CPDBW), Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
- Department of Medicine II, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - George Hripcsak
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Andreas Teufel
- Department of Medicine II, Division of Hepatology, Division of Bioinformatics, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Healthy Metabolism, Center for Preventive Medicine and Digital Health Baden-Württemberg (CPDBW), Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
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Lequain H, Richard-Mornas A, Argaud L, Dargent A. Tetanus-induced rhythmic seizures mimicking the clinical and electroencephalographic presentation of status epilepticus. BMJ Case Rep 2022; 15:e250645. [PMID: 36318639 PMCID: PMC9472151 DOI: 10.1136/bcr-2022-250645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
We describe the case of a woman in her 60s admitted to the intensive care unit after a first generalised tonic-clonic seizure in the context of alcohol withdrawal. She was placed under invasive mechanical ventilation due to persistence of coma despite antiepileptic treatment. Despite continuous sedation with propofol, the frequency and intensity of seizure increased. Seizures were very similar to epileptic tonic-clonic seizures and were recorded with video and electroencephalogram (EEG). A diagnosis of tetanus was considered after a scalp wound was discovered. The patient's husband revealed that a trismus had appeared a few days before hospital admission after a head trauma. EEG showed a pattern of diffuse spikes, which disappeared after a cisatracurium bolus. The diagnosis of tetanus was later confirmed by cultures from wound samples. Therefore, severe tetanus can mimic both the clinical and EEG features of status epilepticus and could be added to the differential diagnosis of epilepsy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Aurelie Richard-Mornas
- Department of Functional Neurology and Epileptology, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Bron, France
| | - Laurent Argaud
- Intensive Care, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Lyon, France
- Université Lyon I, Lyon, France
| | - Auguste Dargent
- Intensive Care, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Lyon, France
- APCSe, UPSP 2016.A101, VetAgro Sup, Marcy-l'Etoile, France
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8
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Shousha HI, Ramadan A, Lithy R, El-Kassas M. Patterns of liver profile disturbance in patients with COVID-19. World J Clin Cases 2022; 10:2063-2071. [PMID: 35321162 PMCID: PMC8895188 DOI: 10.12998/wjcc.v10.i7.2063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2021] [Revised: 07/17/2021] [Accepted: 02/10/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Fever and cough are the most common clinical symptoms of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), but complications (such as pneumonia, respiratory distress syndrome, and multiorgan failure) can occur in people with additional comorbidities. COVID-19 may be a new cause of liver disease, as liver profile disturbance is one of the most common findings among patients. The molecular mechanism underlying this phenomenon, however, is still unknown. In this paper, we review the most current research on the patterns of change in liver profile among patients with COVID-19, the possible explanation for these findings, and the relation to pre-existing liver disease in these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hend Ibrahim Shousha
- Department of Endemic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo 12556, Egypt
| | - Ahmed Ramadan
- Department of Endemic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo 12556, Egypt
| | - Rania Lithy
- Department of Endemic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo 12556, Egypt
| | - Mohamed El-Kassas
- Department of Endemic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Helwan University, Cairo 11795, Egypt
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9
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Alukal JJ, Naqvi HA, Thuluvath PJ. Vaccination in Chronic Liver Disease: An Update. J Clin Exp Hepatol 2022; 12:937-947. [PMID: 34975241 PMCID: PMC8710401 DOI: 10.1016/j.jceh.2021.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2021] [Accepted: 12/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Patients with chronic liver disease (CLD) with or without cirrhosis remain at risk of developing hepatic decompensation when infected with viral or bacterial pathogens. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) currently recommends vaccination in CLD against hepatitis A virus (HAV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), influenza, pneumococcus, herpes zoster, tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis, and SARS-CoV-2. Inactivated vaccines are preferred over live attenuated ones, especially in transplant recipients where live vaccines are contraindicated. As the severity of the liver disease progresses, vaccine efficacy declines, and therefore, vaccines should be ideally administered early in the disease course for optimal immune response. Despite the strong recommendations, overall vaccination coverage in CLD remains poor; however, it is encouraging to note that in recent years coverage against influenza and pneumococcus has shown some improvement. Inadequate access to healthcare, lack of information on vaccine safety, poor financial reimbursement for healthcare providers, and vaccine misinformation are often responsible for low immunization rates. This review summarizes the impact of vaccine-preventable illness in those with CLD, updated vaccine guidelines, seroconversion rates in the vaccinated, and barriers faced by healthcare professionals in immunizing those with liver disease.
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Key Words
- ACIP, Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices
- ACLF, acute on chronic liver failure
- ALD, alcohol-related liver disease
- CLD, Chronic liver disease
- CLIF-C, Chronic Liver Failure Consortium
- DAA, direct-acting antiviral drugs
- HAV, hepatitis A virus
- HBV, hepatitis B virus
- HCV, hepatitis C virus
- LT, liver transplant
- NAFLD, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
- SARS-CoV-2
- SOFA, sequential organ failure assessment
- chronic liver disease
- immunization
- vaccines
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph J. Alukal
- Institute of Digestive Health & Liver Diseases, Mercy Medical Center, Baltimore MD, USA
| | | | - Paul J. Thuluvath
- Institute of Digestive Health & Liver Diseases, Mercy Medical Center, Baltimore MD, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore MD, USA
- Address for correspondence: Paul J. Thuluvath, MD., FRCP, Institute of Digestive Health & Liver Diseases, Mercy Medical Center, Baltimore MD, USA.
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10
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Gong L, Zhang X, Qu Z, Francis MR, Han K, Xu C, Cai E, Shi H, Hou Z. Public Interest in Distribution and Determinants of Influenza and Pneumonia Vaccination during the COVID-19 Pandemic: An Infodemiology and Cross-Sectional Study from China. Vaccines (Basel) 2021; 9:vaccines9111329. [PMID: 34835258 PMCID: PMC8623096 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines9111329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2021] [Revised: 11/09/2021] [Accepted: 11/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Following the COVID-19 pandemic, global interest in influenza vaccines and pneumonia vaccines has increased significantly. We aimed to examine public interest in and actual market circulation of influenza and pneumonia vaccines before and after the initial outbreak of COVID-19 and estimate the coverage and determinants of influenza and pneumonia vaccination uptake following the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: We obtained search volume data for vaccines using the Baidu search index and collected the numbers of vaccines issued from the National Institutes for Food and Drug Control. We also conducted a cross-sectional survey among 3346 adult residents to evaluate the coverage and determinants of influenza and pneumonia vaccination uptake in the Yangtze River delta, China, from 29 January to 4 February 2021. Results: Public searches and the number of vaccines issued for the influenza vaccines and pneumonia vaccines obviously increased after the initial outbreak of COVID-19. In the total sample, 12.5% were vaccinated against influenza, and 21.5% had at least one family member vaccinated against pneumonia. A minority of participants perceived that they were highly or very highly susceptible to influenza (15.9%) and COVID-19 (6.7%). A range of socio-economic factors and perceived susceptibility to COVID-19 were associated with influenza and pneumonia vaccination uptake. Conclusions: Public interest in and issued volumes of influenza and pneumonia vaccines increased nationally following the COVID-19 pandemic. Perceptions of high susceptibility to COVID-19 were associated with the uptake of the influenza and pneumonia vaccines. Targeted interventions were needed to improve vaccination coverage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liubing Gong
- Chizhou Center for Disease Prevention and Control, Chizhou 247100, China;
| | - Xu Zhang
- School of Public Health, NHC Key Laboratory of Health Technology Assessment, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China; (X.Z.); (Z.Q.); (K.H.)
| | - Zhiqiang Qu
- School of Public Health, NHC Key Laboratory of Health Technology Assessment, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China; (X.Z.); (Z.Q.); (K.H.)
| | - Mark R. Francis
- Health Sciences Unit, Faculty of Social Sciences, Tampere University, 33014 Tampere, Finland;
| | - Kaiyi Han
- School of Public Health, NHC Key Laboratory of Health Technology Assessment, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China; (X.Z.); (Z.Q.); (K.H.)
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - Cuilin Xu
- Yuhuatai Center for Disease Prevention and Control, Nanjing 210012, China;
| | - Enmao Cai
- Changning Center for Disease Prevention and Control, Shanghai 200051, China;
| | - Huilin Shi
- School of Public Health, Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety (Ministry of Education), Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China;
| | - Zhiyuan Hou
- School of Public Health, NHC Key Laboratory of Health Technology Assessment, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China; (X.Z.); (Z.Q.); (K.H.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +86-21-33563935
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11
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Rivas AL, van Regenmortel MHV. COVID-19 related interdisciplinary methods: Preventing errors and detecting research opportunities. Methods 2021; 195:3-14. [PMID: 34029715 PMCID: PMC8545872 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymeth.2021.05.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2021] [Revised: 05/18/2021] [Accepted: 05/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
More than 130,000 peer-reviewed studies have been published within one year after COVID-19 emerged in many countries. This large and rapidly growing field may overwhelm the synthesizing abilities of both researchers and policy-makers. To provide a sinopsis, prevent errors, and detect cognitive gaps that may require interdisciplinary research methods, the literature on COVID-19 is summarized, twice. The overall purpose of this study is to generate a dialogue meant to explain the genesis of and/or find remedies for omissions and contradictions. The first review starts in Biology and ends in Policy. Policy is chosen as a destination because it is the setting where cognitive integration must occur. The second review follows the opposite path: it begins with stated policies on COVID-19 and then their assumptions and disciplinary relationships are identified. The purpose of this interdisciplinary method on methods is to yield a relational and explanatory view of the field -one strategy likely to be incomplete but usable when large bodies of literature need to be rapidly summarized. These reviews identify nine inter-related problems, research needs, or omissions, namely: (1) nation-wide, geo-referenced, epidemiological data collection systems (open to and monitored by the public); (2) metrics meant to detect non-symptomatic cases -e.g., test positivity-; (3) cost-benefit oriented methods, which should demonstrate they detect silent viral spreaders even with limited testing; (4) new personalized tests that inform on biological functions and disease correlates, such as cell-mediated immunity, co-morbidities, and immuno-suppression; (5) factors that influence vaccine effectiveness; (6) economic predictions that consider the long-term consequences likely to follow epidemics that growth exponentially; (7) the errors induced by self-limiting and/or implausible paradigms, such as binary and reductionist approaches; (8) new governance models that emphasize problem-solving skills, social participation, and the use of scientific knowledge; and (9) new educational programs that utilize visual aids and audience-specific communication strategies. The analysis indicates that, to optimally address these problems, disciplinary and social integration is needed. By asking what is/are the potential cause(s) and consequence(s) of each issue, this methodology generates visualizations that reveal possible relationships as well as omissions and contradictions. While inherently limited in scope and likely to become obsolete, these shortcomings are avoided when this 'method on methods' is frequently practiced. Open-ended, inter-/trans-disciplinary perspectives and broad social participation may help researchers and citizens to construct, de-construct, and re-construct COVID-19 related research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ariel L Rivas
- Center for Global Health, School of Medicine, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, United States.
| | - Marc H V van Regenmortel
- University of Vienna, Austria; and Higher School of Biotechnology, University of Strasbourg, and French National Research Center, France
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