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Read also: Childhood vaccination: Let’s pull together to reverse the decline
Here’s a breakdown of the provided text,focusing on the key findings and conclusions of the study:
Study Focus:
The study investigates the effectiveness of an intranasal monoclonal antibody (mAb),clone XA19,in preventing and treating allergic rhinitis and asthma induced by mugwort pollen in a mouse model.
Key Findings:
Reduced Inflammation and Tissue Damage:
Treated mice showed substantially reduced inflammation in the upper airways and lungs compared to controls.
Histological examination revealed normal airway architecture and minimal debris in treated animals, while controls exhibited desquamation, lamina-propria remodeling, and dense cellular debris.
Inflammation scores decreased substantially in both upper airways and lungs of treated mice.
Suppression of Th2 response:
Cytokine profiling confirmed that XA19 treatment halved levels of IL-4 and IL-5 in lung homogenates, wich are characteristic of a Th2 immune response. This indicates a dampening of type 2 polarization.
The treatment’s benefit was attributed to suppressing the Th2 response,not by promoting a shift towards Th1 or Th17 immunity,as IFN-γ,TNF-α,and IL-17 levels did not significantly differ among groups. Mechanism of Action:
Computational docking suggests that XA19 binds to the “defensin-like” head of Art v 1 (a major mugwort allergen), which contains key IgE epitopes. This binding likely causes steric hindrance, preventing the allergen from interacting with IgE. The study highlights that even with partial blockade of extract-reactive IgE, robust protection was achieved, emphasizing the dominant role of Art v 1 in driving the allergic response.
Localized Action and Systemic IgE:
The mAb effectively intercepted allergen at the portal of entry (nasal mucosa), preventing nasal priming and subsequent inflammation in the lower airways.
Importantly, the treatment did not alter systemic IgE production.
Limitations and future Directions:
Some mild residual pathological changes were observed in treated animals, indicating the effect was not absolute.
The precise mechanism by which XA19 blocks the broader allergic response to mugwort pollen (which has multiple allergens) and its direct effect on mast cells or basophils require further investigation. The study’s findings are preliminary due to a small mouse cohort,a single antibody dose,and the absence of an isotype control group. Further studies are needed to optimize dosing, confirm specificity, and assess long-term safety.
Conclusions:
Intranasal administration of XA19 provided rapid, non-invasive, and broad protection against mugwort pollen-induced rhinitis and asthma in mice.
The antibody neutralized allergen at the mucosal surface, reduced IL-4 and IL-5 driven inflammation, and preserved airway architecture and breathing, even with persistent high IgE titers.
No local irritation or distress was observed in the animals. Localized passive immunization, delivered via a nasal spray, is a promising strategy for managing pollen-season symptoms and reducing healthcare burdens, potentially serving as an alternative or add-on to customary immunotherapy.
journal reference:
The study was published in Frontiers in Immunology with the DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2025.1595659.
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Medan, north Sumatra is experiencing a measles outbreak, with the Health Office (DHO) reporting a meaningful increase in cases. From January to May 2025, the city recorded 127 measles cases, a notable rise compared to the 104 cases reported in all of 2024. Health officials attribute the outbreak to low immunization coverage, particularly among elementary school children.
The Medan City health Office,through the Head of Disease Prevention and Control Division (P2P),Pocut Fatimah Fitri,confirmed the increase in measles cases. The surge has prompted increased vigilance and strategic interventions to control the spread of the highly contagious viral disease.
Did You Know? Measles cases are rising globally. The European Region reported over 127,000 cases in 2024, the highest number in over 25 years [1].
Measles, caused by the Morbillivirus virus, is characterized by fever, sore throat, and a distinctive rash across the body. The infection begins in the respiratory tract and spreads through airborne saliva droplets. “This virus can be transmitted easily through droplets or splash of saliva from the mouth and nose of measles patients, which comes out when coughing, sneezing, or talking,” explained Pocut Fatimah Fitri.
According to Pocut, a primary factor contributing to the measles outbreak is the lack of sufficient immunization coverage, especially among elementary school children.low participation in the School Child Immunization Month Program (BIAS) has exacerbated the situation.
Pro Tip: Maintaining high vaccination rates is crucial to achieving herd immunity and protecting vulnerable populations from measles.
Measles is preventable through the measles-rubella (MR) vaccine. The Medan Health Office is intensifying the implementation of the BIAS program in elementary schools and Madrasah ibtidaiyah as a sustainable prevention strategy. The BIAS program is conducted twice annually, from August to November, providing measles immunization to first-grade students (
A comprehensive new study reveals that a focused vaccination strategy using the IXCHIQ vaccine could dramatically reduce the worldwide impact of chikungunya, a rapidly spreading mosquito-borne illness. Researchers modeled the potential benefits, identifying high-risk regions for prioritized intervention.
The review, published in Nature Medicine, quantified the global impact of chikungunya virus (CHIKV). Analyses of 180 countries showed that 104 experience CHIKV transmission, exposing an estimated 2.8 billion people. Approximately 35.3 million infections occur annually, with outbreaks recurring roughly every 6.2 years.
Gilles Ribeiro dos Santos and colleagues used multidisciplinary data—seroprevalence, surveillance systems, and mosquito distribution—to estimate the global burden and model vaccination benefits. The study specifically focused on the IXCHIQ vaccine (VLA1553, Valneva), recently licensed based on immunological indicators rather than traditional phase 3 efficacy trials.
Modeling scenarios, assuming 70% vaccine efficacy, 40% infection protection, and 50% coverage, suggest targeted vaccination could prevent 4,400 infections, 0.35 deaths, and 17 disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) per 100,000 doses. The impact is projected to be 83% greater in epidemic regions compared to endemic areas.
The researchers emphasize that these projections are sensitive to factors like vaccine characteristics, coverage rates, and the speed of outbreak response. Effective immunization strategies require rapid detection and efficient deployment.
Chikungunya is a viral disease transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes. Symptoms include fever, joint pain, and rash, with approximately half of acute cases experiencing chronic joint pain. While CHIKV-associated mortality is rare, the disease’s increasing prevalence and impact on vulnerable populations—infants, the elderly—underscores the need for proactive public health measures.
According to the World Health Organization, cases of chikungunya have been reported in over 110 countries and territories, with significant outbreaks in Africa, Asia, and the Americas. WHO Chikungunya Fact Sheet (June 2024)
The study highlights the importance of understanding CHIKV’s global reach to develop effective immunization strategies. The licensing of vaccines like IXCHIQ and VIMKUNYA represents a significant step forward, but targeted deployment based on risk assessment is crucial.
Ribeiro dos Santos and the team conclude that their findings provide a quantified rationale for prioritizing high-risk regions and optimizing vaccine use to reduce morbidity and mortality worldwide. Continued monitoring and adaptation of vaccination strategies will be essential for long-term success.
rockford, ill. – a shift in covid-19 vaccine recommendations is under discussion, sparking debate among health officials. here’s what you need to know:
u.s. health and human services secretary robert f.kennedy jr. announced via social media platform x that the covid-19 vaccine may be removed from the list of recommended vaccines for pregnant women and children.
as of today, the covid vaccine for healthy children and healthy pregnant women has been removed from the cdc recommended immunization schedule.robert f. kennedy jr., u.s. health and human services secretary
the food and drug administration (fda) advisors have been considering narrowing the covid-19 vaccine recommendations for some time. a statement from the u.s. health and human services (hhs) provided context:
as part of the trump administration’s commitment to common sense, the covid-19 vaccine will be removed from the cdc’s recommended immunization schedule. as commissioner makary said, “there’s no evidence healthy kids need it today, and most countries stopped recommending it for children.” with the covid-19 pandemic behind us, it is indeed time to move forward. hhs and the cdc remain committed to gold standard science and to ensuring the health and well-being of all americans-especially our nation’s children-using common sense.u.s. health and human services
jay bhattacharya, director of the national institutes of health, echoed this sentiment in a social media post:
that ends today, it’s common sense and good science.jay bhattacharya, director of the national institutes of health
not all experts agree with this shift. timothy durkee, an obstetrician and gynecologist with uw health, emphasizes that the american college of obgyn (acog) still recommends the covid-19 vaccine for pregnant women.
i think eliminating the recommendation for the covid vaccine in pregnant women creates a little bit of confusion. it has been found beneficial to infants that the antibodies that the mother makes to the covid vaccine are actually transferred through the placenta to the infant, giving them protection.timothy durkee, obstetrician and gynecologist with uw health
durkee added that current data suggests only benefits, with no apparent downsides, for pregnant women who receive the vaccine.
patients really need to sit down with their doc and devise the best strategy going forward if they’re pregnant.timothy durkee, obstetrician and gynecologist with uw health
as of late tuesday, the centers for disease control and prevention (cdc) had not yet updated its immunization schedule to reflect the removal of the vaccines. the covid-19 vaccines remain available, but experts caution that access for children and pregnant women may become more challenging once the changes are officially implemented.
yes, but access may become more arduous for children and pregnant women once changes are official.
yes, the american college of obgyn continues to recommend it.
the u.s. health and human services cites “common sense” and the perception that the pandemic is behind us.
The Surabaya City Health Service (Dinkes), East Java recorded that the achievement of the National Immunization Sub Week (PIN) for Polio for the first round which was held on January 15-21 2024 reached 103.64 percent.
“The Polio Sub PIN achievement was 341,612 children or 103.64 percent,” said Head of the Surabaya City Health Office, Nanik Sukristina, to ANTARA in Surabaya, Wednesday.
This number is higher than the projected target, namely 329,616 children aged 0-7 years or less than a day aged 8 years.
Nanik said that the percentage of immunization or polio vaccines given to children in the city of Surabaya cannot be separated from the awareness of the local community.
“There are no significant obstacles, because public awareness about the importance of providing Sub PIN Polio immunization from a health perspective has greatly improved,” he said.
Nevertheless, Nanik does not deny that there are still a handful of parents who are reluctant to take their children into the first round of the Sub PIN Polio event.
However, this problem can be overcome through outreach patterns, either by collaborating with cross-sector officers or by using social media campaigns.
“Socialization of the Polio Sub PIN through social media, leaflets, posters, video screenings and the Mayor’s voice in strategic places, so that obstacles that arise in the implementation of the Polio Sub PIN can be minimized,” he said.
Apart from that, the local Health Office is also accelerating the Polio Sub PIN by spreading the implementation locations in each RW hall and implementing a sweeping strategy or sweeping to people’s homes.
This method is to ensure that children who fall into the Sub PIN Polio category can be maximally immunized.
“The Puskesmas team went to the target houses collaboratively with sub-districts, sub-districts, PKK Mobilization Team (PPK), Great Surabaya Cadres (KSH), RT/RW and academics involved in the Surabaya City Polio Sub PIN team,” he said.
Apart from that, the Health Office has also opened Polio Sub PIN service post centers in public places, such as at stations, terminals, malls, markets, places of worship, recreation areas and children’s play areas.
Editor: Fiqh Arfani
COPYRIGHT © ANTARA News East Java 2024
2024-01-24 10:17:56
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