Practical considerations to influenza vaccination

Adverse reactions to cosmetic implants after COVID-19 vaccination: A literature review

BACKGROUND

As the world's population of people vaccinated with the COVID-19 vaccine increases, adverse reactions are increasingly being reported. There have been progressive reports of the effects of COVID-19 vaccination on cosmetic fillers or prostheses, but they have not been reviewed based on their clinical morphologic patterns. This article reviewed the progress of research on adverse reactions to cosmetic implants after COVID-19 vaccination.

METHODS

We researched the English-language literature up to October 15, 2022, using predefined keywords to identify relevant studies about adverse reactions to cosmetic implants after the COVID-19 vaccination, collecting patient characteristics, implant type, the time interval between vaccination and implantation or injection, time of onset, symptoms, treatments, and outcomes.

RESULTS

Among the adverse reactions to implants associated with COVID-19 vaccination, we distinguished between (1) injectable fillers and (2) surgical prosthetic implants. The most common adverse reactions were at the site of hyaluronic acid injection and breast prosthesis after Pfizer vaccination, mainly DIRs, and mainly manifested as edema, rash, fever, and capsular contracture. This paper also reported the possible causes, treatments of DIRs, and limitations of current studies.

CONCLUSIONS

In this article, we attempted to investigate and discuss all the adverse reactions of cosmetic implants related to COVID-19 vaccination in the current literature, to unmask these reactions and make a more accurate assessment of vaccine safety.

Recommendations for influenza vaccination in burns patients based on a systematic review of the evidence

Severe burn injury is a serious systemic insult that can lead to life threatening secondary infections. Immunosuppression, inhalation injury and prolonged length of hospital stay are factors which predispose patients to severe respiratory tract infections. Furthermore, evidence shows that burns can put one at risk of infection long after the original injury. Currently in the United Kingdom, the annual National Flu Immunisation programme outlines guidance for groups who are deemed high risk and therefore eligible for the influenza vaccine. At present, no guidance exists for administration of the influenza vaccine in burn injured patients, despite knowledge of immunosuppression. The aim of this literature review is to examine the evidence for associations between burn injury and influenza and where available, evaluate efficacy of influenza vaccines in this cohort. In addition, literature was searched for the effectiveness of the influenza vaccine in patients 65 years and above, and in patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU); two domains common to patients with severe burns. Three papers were found to suggest increased susceptibility to influenza following burn injury, however no papers studying the effectiveness of the influenza vaccine in this group were found. Several studies demonstrated improved outcomes in patients over 65 years and patients admitted to ICU. Following evaluation of the evidence, this review advocates for the consideration of hospitalized burn patients for the influenza vaccine. We suggest avoidance of vaccine administration in the acute burn phase. Further prospective clinical trials would be required to validate these findings.

Passive immunization with a recombinant adenovirus expressing an HA (H5)-specific single-domain antibody protects mice from lethal influenza infection

One effective method for the prevention and treatment of influenza infection is passive immunization. In our study, we examined the feasibility of creating an antibody-based preparation with a prolonged protective effect against influenza virus. Single-domain antibodies (sdAbs) specific for influenza virus hemagglutinin were generated. Experiments in mouse models showed 100% survivability for both intranasal sdAbs administration 24h prior to influenza challenge and 24h after infection. sdAb-gene delivery by an adenoviral vector led to gene expression for up to 14days. Protection by a recombinant adenovirus containing the sdAb gene was observed in cases of administration prior to influenza infection (14d-24h). We also demonstrated that the single administration of a combined preparation containing sdAb DNA and protein expanded the protection time window from 14d prior to 48h after influenza infection. This approach and the application of a broad-spectrum sdAbs will allow the development of efficient drugs for the prevention and treatment of viral infections produced by pandemic virus variants and other infections.