Contribution of sex‑based immunological differences to the enhanced immune response in female mice following vaccination with hepatitis B vaccine

Adjuvant ArtinM favored the host immunity against Cryptococcus gattii infection in C57BL/6 mice

Aim: Cryptococcus gattii causes a severe fungal infection with high mortality rate among immunosuppressed and immunocompetent individuals. Due to limitation of current antifungal treatment, new immunotherapeutic approaches are explored. Methods: This study investigated an immunization strategy utilizing heat-inactivated C. gattii with ArtinM as an adjuvant. C57BL/6 mice were intranasally immunized with heat-killed C. gattii and ArtinM was administrated either before immunization or along with HK-C. gattii. Mice were infected with C. gattii and the efficacy of the immunization protocol was evaluated. Results: Mice that received ArtinM exhibited increased levels of IL-10 and relative expression of IL-23 in the lungs, reduced fungal burden and preserved tissue integrity post-infection. Conclusion: Adjuvant ArtinM improved immunization against C. gattii infection in C57BL/6 mice.

Analysis of Serum Anti-HBs Levels and HBsAg/HBeAg Markers in Children and Adolescents: A Cross-Sectional Study

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a global public health concern, and China continues to face a high burden of HBV cases. Vaccination plays a critical role in controlling and eradicating HBV. However, studies have shown that some individuals may experience waning immunity over time, highlighting the importance of enhanced immunization strategies. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between age, gender, and anti-HBs antibody levels, as well as the prevalence of serum hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)/HBV e antigen (HBeAg) positivity. This retrospective study included 43,609 pediatric patients who visited the outpatient department between January 2013 and December 2022. Serum biomarkers (HBsAg, anti-HBs, HBeAg, anti-HBe, and anti-HBc) were measured using Roche Cobas 8000. There is a significant difference in anti-HBs titer between genders and across different age groups (p < 0.05). The serological markers HBsAg/HBeAg exhibited the highest positivity rate in the age group of 15-18 years. The findings demonstrate a gradual decrease in anti-HBs levels following HBV vaccination. The prevalence of serum markers HBsAg/HBeAg is higher among adolescents aged 15-18 years, which should be a matter of concern and attention.

Terminalia brownii Fresen: Stem Bark Dichloromethane Extract Alleviates Pyrogallol-Induced Suppression of Innate Immune Responses in Swiss Albino Mice

Terminalia brownii is widely used in folklore medicine and has diverse biological activities. However, its effect on the immune system is yet to be studied. Therefore, our study evaluated the immunomodulatory effect of T. brownii on nonspecific immunity. Innate immunity is the initial defence phase against pathogens or injuries. Dichloromethane plant extracts were tested on female Swiss albino mice and Wister rats. The effect of the extract on innate immunity was assessed via total and differential leukocyte counts, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and nitric oxide production by mouse macrophages. The 3-(4, 5-dimethyl thiazolyl-2)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay was employed for viability testing. Phytochemical profiling was carried out using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, while toxicity studies were carried out following the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development guidelines. Our results demonstrated that administration of T. brownii stem bark dichloromethane extract to pyrogallol-immuno compromised mice significantly (p < 0.05) increased total and differential leukocyte counts compared with the control. The extract showed no adverse effect on the viability of Vero cells and macrophages and significantly (p < 0.05) augmented tumor necrosis factor-alpha and nitric oxide production. Hexadecanoic acid, linoleic acid, octadecanoic acid, squalene, campesterol, stigmasterol, and β-sitosterol, all of which stimulate, were identified in the extract. The extract did not cause any death or toxic signs in rats. In conclusion, T. brownii dichloromethane extract has an immunoenhancing effect on innate immune responses and is not toxic. The observed immunoenhancing impact of the extract was attributed to the presence of the identified compounds. The results of this study provide crucial ethnopharmacological leads towards the development of novel immunomodulators for managing immune-related disorders.

Sexual Dimorphism in Chronic Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) Infection: Evidence to Inform Elimination Efforts

Sexual dimorphism in infectious diseases refers to the different infection susceptibilities and outcomes between males and females, and has been described for many pathogens, including hepatitis B virus (HBV). HBV is a substantial global health problem, with close to 300 million people chronically infected, and accounting for a million deaths each year, with an urgent need for enhanced interventions to support progress towards elimination goals. Sexual dimorphism has a strong influence in HBV infection, with males more likely to be exposed, to develop chronic infection, and to suffer from complications including cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) compared to females. Different outcomes are driven by differential immune responses, sexual dimorphism of the liver, and androgen response elements in the HBV genome. The impact of sex may also vary with age, with changes at puberty and influences of menarche, pregnancy and menopause in females. In addition, gender has complex influences on education, beliefs, behaviour and access to / engagement with healthcare services, which may contribute to differences in diagnosis and treatment. Interplay between these complex factors, alongside other attributes of host, virus and the environment, accounts for different outcomes of infection. However, gaps remain in our understanding of sexual dimorphism in HBV, and little effort has previously been made to harness this knowledge for translational gains. In this review, we assimilate human and animal data to consider the mechanism, outcomes and impact of sexual dimorphism, and consider how these insights can be used to inform advances in surveillance, treatment and prevention for HBV infection.

Sexual Dimorphism in Chronic Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) Infection: Evidence to Inform Elimination Efforts

Sexual dimorphism in infectious diseases refers to the different infection susceptibilities and outcomes between males and females, and has been described for many pathogens, including hepatitis B virus (HBV). HBV is a substantial global health problem, with close to 300 million people chronically infected, and accounting for a million deaths each year, with an urgent need for enhanced interventions to support progress towards elimination goals. Sexual dimorphism has a strong influence in HBV infection, with males more likely to be exposed, to develop chronic infection, and to suffer from complications including cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) compared to females. Different outcomes are driven by differential immune responses, sexual dimorphism of the liver, and androgen response elements in the HBV genome. The impact of sex may also vary with age, with changes at puberty and influences of menarche, pregnancy and menopause in females. In addition, gender has complex influences on education, beliefs, behaviour and access to / engagement with healthcare services, which may contribute to differences in diagnosis and treatment. Interplay between these complex factors, alongside other attributes of host, virus and the environment, accounts for different outcomes of infection. However, gaps remain in our understanding of sexual dimorphism in HBV, and little effort has previously been made to harness this knowledge for translational gains. In this review, we assimilate human and animal data to consider the mechanism, outcomes and impact of sexual dimorphism, and consider how these insights can be used to inform advances in surveillance, treatment and prevention for HBV infection.

Sexual Dimorphism in Chronic Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) Infection: Evidence to Inform Elimination Efforts

Sexual dimorphism in infectious diseases refers to the different infection susceptibilities and outcomes between males and females, and has been described for many pathogens, including hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. HBV is a substantial global health problem, with close to 300 million people infected, and accounting for a million deaths each year, with an urgent need for enhanced interventions to support progress towards elimination goals. Sexual dimorphism has a strong influence in HBV infection, with males more likely to be exposed, to develop chronic infection, and to suffer from complications including cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) compared to females. Different outcomes are driven by differential immune responses, sexual dimorphism of the liver, and androgen response elements in the HBV genome. The impact of sex may also vary with age, with changes at puberty and influences of menarche, pregnancy and menopause in females. In addition, gender has complex influences on education, beliefs, behaviour and access to / engagement with healthcare services, which may contribute to differences in diagnosis and treatment. Interplay between these complex factors, alongside other attributes of host, virus and the environment, accounts for different outcomes of infection. However, gaps remain in our understanding of sexual dimorphism in HBV, and little effort has previously been made to harness this knowledge for translational gains. In this review, we assimilate human and animal data to consider the mechanism, outcomes and impact of sexual dimorphism, considering how these insights can be used to inform advances in surveillance, treatment and prevention for HBV infection.

Genetic background affects the mucosal SIgA levels, parasite burden, lung inflammation and susceptibility of male mice to Ascaris suum infection

Ascariasis is a neglected tropical disease, widespread in the world and causing important socioeconomic impacts. The presence of various stages of worm development in the pulmonary and intestinal mucosa induces a humoral and cellular immune response. However, although there is much evidence of the protective role of mucosal immunity against various pathogens, including helminthes, there is still a gap in the knowledge about the immune response and the mechanisms of action that are involved in protection against diseases, especially in the initial phase of ascariasis. Then, the aim of this study was to evaluate the kinetic aspects of the immune parasitological parameters in intestinal and pulmonary mucosa in male mice with early ascariasis. Therefore, two mice strains showed a different susceptibility to ascariasis (BALB/c and C57BL6/j), when experimentally infected with 2,500 infective eggs of Ascaris suum from time-point 0 and the immune parasitological parameters evaluated each two days after infection, during the period of 12 days. The results were suggestive of a synergetic action of intestinal and pulmonary SIgA contributing for the protection against early ascariasis by reducing the amount of migrating larval as well as the influx of leukocytes in the lung and the consequent impair of the pulmonary capacity.

How does the immunogenicity of hepatitis B vaccine change over the years in childhood?

Hepatitis B is the leading cause of chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma worldwide. The incidence of HBV infection has significantly decreased with hepatitis B vaccination. Hepatitis B vaccine is administered to children at 0, 1 and 6 months of age according to the national schedule. There is a high rate of protective antibody (anti-HBs) development after hepatitis B vaccination. We conducted the study to investigate how the hepatitis B surface antibody (anti-HBs) positivity rates and the titers change over time in childhood following vaccination. Patients who presented at the general pediatric outpatient clinic of Yenimahalle Education and Training Hospital and the HBsAg and anti-HBs titers were tested for any reason between July 2011 and May 2018 were retrospectively evaluated. The cutoff level for protection by the anti-HBs titer was accepted as ≥10 mIU/mL with lower levels indicating no protection. Anti-HBs positivity was compared by age group. Anti-HBs levels were studied in 4326 children. The mean age of the included in the study was 127 ± 62 months. A protective anti-HBs level (≥10 mIU/mL) was present in 2292 children (69.2%). The highest anti-HBs antibody positivity rate was in the under 3 years' age group. The positivity rate significantly decreased after age 7 years. The HBsAg level was determined in all children in the study and five had a positive result. In conclusion, our study found that the anti-HBs positivity rate and the anti-HBs level decreased with age. However, the anti-HBs antibody result remained positive in more than half of the children.