Search

A study was conducted to evaluate effectiveness of vitamin D and interferon α-2b preparations on cytokine profile in pregnant women with vaginal infections. It was shown that pregnant women with vs. without bacterial vaginosis were featured with low vitamin D level in 53.8–60.5% cases. Administration of vitamin D and interferon α-2b preparations in combination with antibacterial therapy in pregnant women with bacterial vaginosis conferred anti-inflammatory effect resulting in normalized IL-8 level corresponding to that one in healthy subjects. Use of vitamin D altered interferon status and augmented antimicrobial activity in pregnant women confirmed by reduced rate of ARI episodes.

Background.In the absence of a vaccine against SARS-CoV-2, seasonal influenza vaccination during the pandemic contributed to lowered COVID-19 susceptibility and severity. The study was aimed to assess the state of post-influenza vaccination immunity, pneumonia frequency and severity in medical workers after using various flu vaccination regimens, between the 1st and 2nd peaks of COVID-19 epidemic rise.Materials and methods.Comparatively analyzed data on the levels of antibodies against influenza virus strains and pneumonia incidence in 487 medical workers was carried out: 1st group — unvaccinated in 2020–2021 (n = 281), 2nd group — vaccinated against influenza (Sovigripp), (n = 98), 3rd group — received combined vaccination against influenza and pneumococcus (Prevenar 13), (n = 108).Results.6 months after vaccination, the highest rates of influenza virus were detected in the A(H3N2), the level of seroprotection (≥ 1:40) ranged from 49.0% in unvaccinated (1st group) to 53.4–53.2% in those who received combined vaccination (group III), as well as influenza alone (2nd group), p 0.05; for strain A(H1N1) the level of seroprotection in 1st group is 24.5%, lower (p 0.04) than in 2nd group — 32.7%, but does not differ from the levels of 40.4% in group III; for strain B the level of seroprotection is the lowest ranging from 19.4% in the group of unvaccinated subjects up to 22.4% in 2nd group and 23.4% in 3rd group. The pneumonia incidence in 1st group (3.9%), 2nd group (3.1%), 3rd group (4.6%) did not differ, however, among all vaccinated subjects severity of pneumonia clinical course was mild, whereas in unvaccinated employees, except for mild course (45.4%, 5 out of 11 people) pneumonia in 36.4% (4 out of 11 people) cases was assessed as moderate and in 18.2% (2 out of 11 people) cases — severe with fatal outcomes.Conclusion.The study showed that 6 months after seasonal influenza immunization between the 1st and 2nd peaks of COVID-19 epidemic rise, the immunogenicity of the vaccine meets the CPMP criterion for the A(H3N2) strain. In vaccinated patients, the proportion of pneumonia with COVID-19 clinical picture was mild in 100% of cases, and in unvaccinated patients in 36.4% of cases — of moderate severity and in 18.2% — severe with fatal outcome.

Within a framework of the state measles elimination program, in April, 2018 a level of measles herd immunity was assessed in 1899 Moscow hospital medical workers aged from 19 to 69 years and older. All subjects enrolled in the study were vaccinated against measles or recovered after measles infection. Serum samples were collected from subjects and examined by ELISA for measles IgG antibodies with the Vector-Best IgG-measle test system (Russia). It was found that 278 (14.6%) and 1621 (85.4%) subjects were seronegative (< 0.18 IU/mL) and seropositive (> 0.18 IU/ml), respectively. Age-related group distribution of 1855 serum samples revealed that percentage of seronegative subjects was in: aged 19—23 years was -38.5%; 24-28 and 29-33 years - 22.2%; 34-38 years - 27.5%; 39-43 years - 25.8%; 44-48 years - 16.8%; 49-53 and 54-58 years — 8.6% and 8.3%, respectively; 59-63 years old — 4.9%; 64-68 and over 69 years old — 0%. Moreover, mean level of measles IgG antibodies increased proportionally to age of medical workers from 0.58 IU/ml (19-23 years) to 2.94-2.72 IU/ml (64-68 and over 69 years). The data obtained indicate that a cohort of measles susceptible subjects (from 38.5% to 16.8%), respectively, is identified among young and middle age (from 19 to 48 years) individuals. It is assumed that two-dose measles vaccination in childhood does not contribute to the long-term preservation of protective levels of measles antibodies, thereby justifying a need to administer a three-dose measles vaccine.

The review is devoted to the analysis of pertussis incidence of children in the age group of 5–7, as well as strategies of DTP immunization with the help of the drugs in foreign countries. Mass vaccination against pertussis began in the middle of the 20th century, which contributed to a reduction in incidence and mortality rate from this infection. However, in the last decade, there has been an opposite tendency of increasing incidence of patients among children under school age, school age and adults. Atypical forms of the disease and complications due to ARVI, respiratory mycoplasmosis and cytomegalovirus infections are described in the review. Various strategies for the use of whole-cell and acellular pertussis vaccines as part of DTP drugs are described, as well as the epidemiological effect of introducing an additional booster dose of vaccine to children under school age. The expediency of revaccination of children aged 6–7 in Russia is argued, which can help to reduce the overall incidence of pertussis. The research materials related to the study of the properties of acellular anti-pertussis vaccine, such as immunogenicity and safety in comparison with whole-cell vaccine, are analyzed. The main drugs and their composition, which are used to vaccinate children against pertussis, are described in the review. It is assumed, that the increase in the incidence among children and teenagers, with the appearance of atypical forms of pertussis, is associated with a number of factors, such as the spread of new genotypes of Bordetella pertussis bacterium, emerged from mutations, as well as short duration of immunity after vaccination with acellular drugs, in comparison with whole-cell, and the use of more modern methods of detecting the pathogen. The mechanisms of the immune response due to different types of pertussis vaccines are also reviewed. It is concluded, that revaccination of children aged 6–7 with an additional fifth dose of an acellular vaccine against pertussis, as part of the DTaP instead of the Td drug, which is regulated in the National Calendar of preventive vaccinations, will have a favorable effect on the epidemic situation with pertussis infection in Russia.