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Bolotin S, Hughes SL, Savage RD, McLachlan E, Severini A, Arnold C, Richardson S, Crowcroft NS, Deek S, Halperin SA, Brown KA, Hatchette T, Osman S, Gubbay JB, Science M. Maternal varicella antibodies in children aged less than one year: Assessment of antibody decay. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0287765. [PMID: 37948389 PMCID: PMC10637651 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0287765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To investigate maternal antibody levels to varicella in infants <12 months of age in Ontario, Canada. STUDY DESIGN In this study, we included specimens from infants <12 months of age, born at ≥37 weeks gestational age, who had sera collected at The Hospital for Sick Children (Toronto, Canada) between 2014-2016. We tested sera using a glycoprotein-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (gpELISA). We measured varicella susceptibility (antibody concentration <150mIU/mL) and mean varicella antibody concentration, and assessed the probability of susceptibility and concentration between one and 11 months of age using multivariable logistic regression and Poisson regression. RESULTS We found that 32% of 196 included specimens represented infants susceptible to varicella at one month of age, increasing to nearly 80% at three months of age. At six months of age, all infants were susceptible to varicella and the predicted mean varicella antibody concentration declined to 62 mIU/mL (95% confidence interval 40, 84), well below the threshold of protection. CONCLUSIONS We found that varicella maternal antibody levels wane rapidly in infants, leaving most infants susceptible by four months of age. Our findings have implications for the timing of first dose of varicella-containing vaccine, infection control measures, and infant post-exposure prophylaxis recommendations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shelly Bolotin
- Public Health Ontario, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Centre for Vaccine Preventable Diseases, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Rachel D. Savage
- Public Health Ontario, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Elizabeth McLachlan
- National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Manitoba, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Alberto Severini
- National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Manitoba, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Callum Arnold
- Division of Infectious Diseases, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Susan Richardson
- Division of Microbiology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Natasha S. Crowcroft
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Centre for Vaccine Preventable Diseases, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Immunization, Vaccines & Biologicals, World Helath Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Shelley Deek
- Public Health Ontario, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Scott A. Halperin
- Canadian Center for Vaccinology (CCfV), IWK Health Centre, Nova Scotia Health (NSH), and Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia (NS), Canada
| | - Kevin A. Brown
- Public Health Ontario, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Todd Hatchette
- Canadian Center for Vaccinology (CCfV), IWK Health Centre, Nova Scotia Health (NSH), and Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia (NS), Canada
| | - Selma Osman
- Public Health Ontario, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jonathan B. Gubbay
- Public Health Ontario, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Division of Infectious Diseases, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Michelle Science
- Public Health Ontario, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Division of Infectious Diseases, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Paediatrics, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Bianchi FP, Stefanizzi P, Migliore G, Martinelli A, Vimercati L, Germinario CA, Tafuri S. Prevalence of healthcare workers fully vaccinated against hepatitis B without circulating antibodies in Italy and role of age at baseline cycle vaccination: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Expert Rev Vaccines 2023; 22:139-147. [PMID: 36564923 DOI: 10.1080/14760584.2023.2162507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Healthcare workers (HCWs) susceptible to hepatitis B represent an important public health concern. National and international guidelines recommend assessing the hepatitis B immune status of all HCWs and possibly vaccinating those found to be seronegative (non-responders). We conducted a meta-analysis to estimate the rate of hepatitis B sero-susceptibility among HCWs in Italy and to explore possible options for the management of non-responders. AREAS COVERED Nineteen studies, selected from scientific articles available in the Scopus, MEDLINE/PubMed and ISI Web of Knowledge databases between 1 January 2016 and 22 April 2022, were included. The prevalence of HBV-susceptible HCWs was 27.1% (95%CI = 23.2-31.7%). In a comparison by sex (males vs. females) the RR was 1.16 (95%CI = 1.03-1.31), and by full-cycle vaccination period (adolescence vs. infancy) the RR was 0.30 (95%CI = 0.25-0.37). Occupational health screenings for hepatitis B, with subsequent vaccination of non-responders, and exclusion of susceptible HCWs from high-risk settings have been common management strategies. EXPERT OPINION It is highly probable that a proportion of the next generation of medical students and HCWs will not show circulating IgG on serologic evaluation. Therefore, more targeted efforts are needed to identify these individuals and actively immunize them.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Pasquale Stefanizzi
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, Aldo Moro University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | | | - Andrea Martinelli
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, Aldo Moro University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Luigi Vimercati
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, Aldo Moro University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | | | - Silvio Tafuri
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, Aldo Moro University of Bari, Bari, Italy
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Sun X, Zhu Y, Sun H, Xu Y, Zhang L, Wang Z. Comparison of varicella outbreaks in schools in China during different vaccination periods. Hum Vaccin Immunother 2022; 18:2114255. [PMID: 35993917 DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2022.2114255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to investigate the outbreak trend of chickenpox and the epidemiological characteristics of outbreak related cases from 2017 to 2021, and compare the impact of voluntary self-funded single dose vaccination versus mandatory two-dose vaccine vaccination on varicella outbreaks. The data of varicella outbreaks in Jiangsu Province from 2017 to 2021 come from the national public health emergency management information system. We randomly chose 70 outbreaks from 2019 to 2020 for study in order to better understand the features and regularity of breakthrough varicella(BV). In pilot cities with two doses of free VarV, the number of outbreaks decreased from 306 in 2017 to 123 in 2021, while the total number of cases related to the outbreak decreased by 64.6% (P < .01), the median size of the outbreak decreased from 24 cases (range:6-146) to 21 cases (range:10-93) (P < .01), and the incidence rate also decreased from 2.01/100 to 1.33/100. The proportion of cases with high fever, severe rash and complications in the BV group was lower than that in the primary varicella (PV), and the differences were statistically significant. The incidence rate of varicella among students who had post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) activities was 1.42% (488/ 33,878), and 1.63% (2468/ 148,943) among those who did not (p = .005). The single-dose varicella vaccination was less effective in controlling the outbreaks, and the success of the full implementation of the routine two-dose varicella vaccination plan in the pilot cities provided a basis for implementation in the whole province, and long-term follow-up studies are needed to evaluate the effect of the new strategy in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiang Sun
- Department of Expanded Program on Immunization, Jiangsu Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yanhong Zhu
- School of Health Policy and Management, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Hui Sun
- Medical Department, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Yan Xu
- Department of Expanded Program on Immunization, Jiangsu Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Lei Zhang
- Department of Expanded Program on Immunization, Jiangsu Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zhiguo Wang
- Department of Expanded Program on Immunization, Jiangsu Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
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Bianchi FP, Stefanizzi P, De Maria L, Martinelli A, Diella G, Larocca AMV, Vimercati L, Tafuri S. Vaccination Offer during the Occupational Health Surveillance Program for Healthcare Workers and Suitability to Work: An Italian Retrospective Cohort Study. Vaccines (Basel) 2022; 10:vaccines10101633. [PMID: 36298499 PMCID: PMC9610769 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines10101633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2022] [Revised: 09/22/2022] [Accepted: 09/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The active immunization of health care workers (HCWs) is a crucial measure to avoid nosocomial infection; nevertheless, vaccine coverage (VC) among health personnel in Italy is unsatisfactory. To improve VC in the healthcare set, the Hygiene and Occupational Medicine departments of Bari Policlinico General University Hospital applied a specific program. The operative procedure demands that in the context of the occupational medical examination, all workers are evaluated for susceptibility to vaccine-preventable diseases (VDPs), with immunization prophylaxis offered to those determined to be susceptible. This study analyzed data from workers who attended the biological risk assessment protocol from December 2017 to October 2021 (n = 1477), who were evaluated for the immune status for measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella. Among the enrolled subjects, non-protective antibody titers were higher for measles and mumps (13%), followed by rubella (11%) and varicella (8%). Appropriate vaccinations were offered to all susceptible HCWs, and HCWs were re-tested one month after immunization. The seroconversion rate after the administration of one or more booster dose(s) was over 80%. Overall, 2.5% of the subjects refused the offered vaccine(s); the main determinant of immunization compliance was younger age (aOR = 0.86; 95%CI = 0.80–0.92). Especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, VPDs may still present a hazard in nosocomial environment. Our experience suggests that, despite hospital procedures and dedicated human assets, satisfactory VC cannot be reached without the provision of federal regulations. Nevertheless, public health policymakers have to improve the promotion of vaccine prophylaxis and education to reach higher VC.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Pasquale Stefanizzi
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, Aldo Moro University of Bari, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Luigi De Maria
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, Aldo Moro University of Bari, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Andrea Martinelli
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, Aldo Moro University of Bari, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Giusy Diella
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, Aldo Moro University of Bari, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | | | - Luigi Vimercati
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, Aldo Moro University of Bari, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Silvio Tafuri
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, Aldo Moro University of Bari, 70124 Bari, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-80-5478473; Fax: +39-80-5478472
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Bianchi FP, Stefanizzi P, Brescia N, Lattanzio S, Martinelli A, Tafuri S. COVID-19 vaccination hesitancy in Italian healthcare workers: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Expert Rev Vaccines 2022; 21:1289-1300. [PMID: 35757890 DOI: 10.1080/14760584.2022.2093723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION As for other vaccines, vaccination hesitancy may be a determining factor in the success (or otherwise) of the COVID-19 immunization campaign in healthcare workers (HCWs). AREAS COVERED To estimate the proportion of HCWs in Italy who expressed COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy, we conducted a systematic review of the relevant literature and a meta-analysis. Determinants of vaccine compliance and options suggested by these studies to address vaccine hesitancy among HCWs were also analyzed. Seventeen studies were included in the meta-analysis and systematic review, selected from scientific articles available in the MEDLINE/PubMed, Google Scholar and Scopus databases between January 1, 2020 and January 25, 2022. The vaccine hesitancy rate among HCWs was 13.1% (95%CI: 6.9-20.9%). The vaccine hesitancy rate among HCWs investigated before and during the vaccination campaign was 18.2% (95%CI=12.8-24.2%) and 8.9% (95%CI=3.4-16.6%), respectively. That main reasons for vaccine hesitation were lack of information about vaccination, opinion that the vaccine is unsafe, and fear of adverse events. EXPERT OPINION Despite strategies to achieve a greater willingness to immunize in this category, mandatory vaccination appears to be one of the most important measures that can guarantee the protection of HCWs and the patients they care for.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Pasquale Stefanizzi
- Department of Biomedical Science and Human Oncology, Aldo Moro University of Bari
| | - Nazario Brescia
- Department of Biomedical Science and Human Oncology, Aldo Moro University of Bari
| | - Sabrina Lattanzio
- Department of Biomedical Science and Human Oncology, Aldo Moro University of Bari
| | - Andrea Martinelli
- Department of Biomedical Science and Human Oncology, Aldo Moro University of Bari
| | - Silvio Tafuri
- Department of Biomedical Science and Human Oncology, Aldo Moro University of Bari
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Levin MJ, Weinberg A. Immune Responses to Varicella-Zoster Virus Vaccines. Curr Top Microbiol Immunol 2022; 438:223-246. [PMID: 35102438 DOI: 10.1007/82_2021_245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
The live attenuated varicella vaccine is intended to mimic the tempo and nature of the humoral and cell-mediated immune responses to varicella infection. To date, two doses of varicella vaccine administered in childhood have been very effective in generating varicella-zoster virus (VZV) immune responses that prevent natural infection for at least several decades. After primary infection, the infecting VZV establishes latency in sensory and cranial nerve ganglia with the potential to reactivate and cause herpes zoster. Although, the immune responses developed during varicella are important for preventing herpes zoster they wane with increasing age (immune senescence) or with the advent of immune suppression. Protection can be restored by increasing cell-mediated immune responses with two doses of an adjuvanted recombinant VZV glycoprotein E vaccine that stimulates both VZV-and gE-specific immunity. This vaccine provides ~85-90% protection against herpes zoster for 7-8 years (to date).
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Affiliation(s)
- Myron J Levin
- Departments of Pediatrics and Medicine, University of Colorado Denver School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Adriana Weinberg
- Departments of Pediatrics, Medicine, and Pathology, University of Colorado Denver School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA.
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Goldman GS. Insights on the Impact of External and Internal Boosting on Varicella-Zoster Virus Reactivation Based on Evidence From the First Decade of the United States Universal Varicella Vaccination Program. Cureus 2021; 13:e16963. [PMID: 34373828 PMCID: PMC8346608 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.16963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Since the licensure of the varicella vaccine in the United States in 1995 and the implementation of the universal varicella vaccination program, varicella infection rates, and associated morbidity and mortality rates have decreased. However, controversy exists over whether universal vaccination has resulted in an increased incidence of herpes zoster (HZ). In 1965, Dr. Hope-Simpson hypothesized that exogenous exposures to the wild-type varicella-zoster virus (wt-VZV) provide immune boosts that inhibit HZ; therefore, reducing the amount of circulating wt-VZV may have the negative effect of increasing the incidence of HZ. A historical review of data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention-sponsored Antelope Valley Varicella Active Surveillance Project, along with other studies, is provided to investigate the exogenous boosting hypothesis in the first decade post-vaccine licensure. These data indicated that adoption of universal varicella vaccination led to (1) significant HZ incidence rate increases among children, adolescents, and adults with a history of wild-type varicella and (2) decline in varicella vaccine efficacy after the initial post-licensure period. These effects were likely due to reduced exogenous exposures from children shedding wt-VZV. Appropriate methodologies for ongoing research are also discussed, both in studies during the first decade post-licensure and more recent work.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gary S Goldman
- Research, Independent Computer Scientist, Bogue Chitto, USA
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