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Measles has not yet been eradicated; therefore, its outbreaks are still reported throughout the world. Like any infection, measles is dangerous for immunocompromised patients. Levels of anti-measles IgG antibodies were measured in 157 patients aged 17 to 72, who were placed on the lung transplant waiting list. Measurements were undertaken by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using the VectoMeasles-IgG kit (Russia). The proportion of patients seronegative for measles was 19% (30/157). Correlation was detected between patients' age and their levels of anti-measles antibodies, with higher proportions of patients having undetectable titers (25.5-28.9%) or low antibody levels (38.3-44.4%) in the young age groups (17-29 and 30-39 years old). There were no differences between male and female patients in levels of anti-measles antibodies or in the proportion of seronegative individuals. Analyses of antibody levels with regard to type of disease revealed the highest rate of seronegative results in cystic fibrosis patients (34.4%, 11/32). Overall, 19% of lung transplant candidates, mostly young people and cystic fibrosis patients, did not have protective immunity against measles.

Background: This study investigates the efficiency of two different types of immunomodulators for the treatment of non-severe community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) and assesses their long-term effects., Methods: The study included 55 patients with non-severe CAP. Group 1 (control) received only standard CAP therapy; the other two groups received immunomodulators simultaneously with the standard therapy: bacterial lysate for group 2 and azoximer bromide (AzB) for group 3. TNF and IL-6 concentrations were determined on the day of hospitalization as well as on days 13 and 60 of follow-up. For 2 years, we monitored the incidence of low respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) in the same patients with CAP ( n =55)., Results: The overall duration of all symptoms was lower in the immunomodulator groups compared with the control group. During treatment, TNF and IL-6 concentrations decreased on days 13 and 60 in all patients; in patients who received immunomodulators, TNF and IL-6 were reliably lower than in control patients. IL-6 concentration decreased on day 60 in the bacterial lysate and AzB treatment groups and did not differ ( p =0.72). The odds ratio for the development of LRTIs in the AzB group was 0.15 (0.02-0.93) ( p =0.04), suggesting its protective effect., Conclusion: Inclusion of immunomodulators in the basic treatment of non-severe CAP reduces the duration of symptoms and is associated with improvement of the pro-inflammatory cytokine profile. In 2 years of follow-up, the long-term effects of the immunomodulatory therapy showed a statistically significant lower incidence of LRTIs in the AzB group only. However, given the small sample size of this study, further clinical studies are needed., Competing Interests: Disclosure and potential conflicts of interest: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest. The International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE) Potential Conflicts of Interests form for the authors is available for download at: https://www.drugsincontext.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/dic.2022-10-5-COI.pdf, (Copyright © 2023 Kostinov MP, Gainitdinova VV, Kazharova SV, Vlasenko AE, Polishchuk VB, Mashilov KV.)

Introduction: The study of the intensity of humoral immunity to the measles virus (Paramyxoviridae: Morbillivirus) (MV) remains relevant due to the ongoing registration of the cluster cases of measles (including nosocomial cases).The aim of the study was to analyze correlation between the intensity of the humoral immunity to measles virus and the measles incidence in different age groups of the Moscow residents., Material and Methods: A simple analytic study was carried out under the framework of measles prevention improvement program conducted in the subjects of the Russian Federation. The study included the analysis of the reasons for the increase in the proportion of seronegative individuals and the comparison of the results of seromonitoring with the data of age-related measles incidence. Throughout 2018, total 1,855 blood serum samples obtained from employees of a large hospital center in Moscow who were previously vaccinated against measles were tested for IgG antibodies (ABs) to MV. The subjects were divided into 11 groups according to their age. Statistical analysis of the obtained data was performed using nonparametric criteria., Results and Discussion: The proportion of seronegative individuals among the staff of the medical facility decreased with age, from 38.5% in persons aged 19-23 to 0% among employees aged 64 and over. Persons aged 19-43 years were the most susceptible to measles infection, which was confirmed also by the highest incidence rate at these age groups (from 6.93 to 14.03 per 100,000 population). The age group most protected against measles was those over 64 years of age, who were all seropositive and had the lowest rates of incidence. This is probably due to the fact that by this age most of them have had a measles infection and have formed a sufficient immune response. At the same time, younger individuals living in the post-elimination era have only vaccine-induced ABs to MV, the level of which declines rapidly to non-protective values in the absence of boosterization due to the exposure to the wild-type strain of the pathogen., Conclusion: The monitoring of the MV-specific IgG- AB levels is required for employees in the medical institutions under the age of 35. Administration of the single dose of the appropriate vaccine is recommended for seronegative individuals.

Background: Studies aimed at identifying the mechanisms of the immunoregulatory effect of vaccination with diphtheria and tetanus toxoid on the parameters of adaptive immunity in children with kidney pathology are limited. The study aimed to study the effect of revaccination against diphtheria and tetanus on the proliferation and differentiation of immunocompetent cells, the formation of specific antibodies, and the course of the disease in children with glomerulonephritis (GN)., Methods: The study included 45 children with glomerulonephritis (GN) aged 5 to 15 years, in remission from 6 months up to 4 years. Of these, 25 children were revaccinated with DT toxoid (Diphtheria-Tetanus toxoid with reduced antigenic content) and 20 were in the control group (not vaccinated). The frequency of development of local and systemic reactions and the course of GN were assessed. The subpopulation structure of lymphocytes was studied in dynamics after 1-6-12 months by flow cytometry and IgG levels to diphtheria and tetanus were studied by ELISA., Results: In 92% of children with GN, the post-vaccination period was uneventful. 8% showed a rise in temperature up to 37.3 ° C, without the development of local reactions. During the year, none of the patients had an exacerbation of GN or a concomitant disease. After revaccination with DT toxoid, a significant increase in IgG antibodies against diphtheria and tetanus was revealed, which persisted after 12 months - 7.5 [5.1-10.8] IU/mL (p <0.001) and 7.2 [4.8-10.7] IU/mL (p <0.001), respectively. In the post-vaccination period, a multidirectional change in the concentration of T-lymphocytes was noted: with an initially increased level, their percentage after revaccination with DT toxoid decreases from 83 (81-86) % to 78 (76-80)% after a month (p = 0.04) and up to 75 (69-79)% after 12 months (p<0.001). In the control group, such a decrease was not observed. A similar picture was observed for T-helpers, cytotoxic T-lymphocytes, and in patients with an initially low percentage of cytotoxic T-lymphocytes, on the contrary, its increase was noted (p<0.001), which is comparable with the value of this parameter in the group of children with initially normal value (H = 0.54, p = 0.76). The same patterns were observed in the change in the content of B-cells: one month after revaccination, the relative level of B-cells in patients with an initially lowered value increased (p = 0.02) and remained for 12 months (p<0.001)., Conclusion: Revaccination with DT toxoid in children with GN not only does not cause undesirable changes in the system of immunocompetent cells but also has an immunomodulatory effect, which contributes to the favorable maintenance of the remission period of the disease., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2021 Kostinov, Akhmatova, Magarshak, Vlasenko, Polishchuk, Kostinova and Mashilov.)

Early studies on vaccination of children with oncological diseases were only dedicated to the assessment of safety and immunogenicity of the drug. Mechanisms of the post-vaccination immune response were not investigated. This study involved 41 patients aged 7-15 years who were treated for solid tumors two or more years ago. Of these, 26 were vaccinated against diphtheria and tetanus with ADS-m toxoid. Fifteen children (i.e., controls) were not vaccinated. The vaccination tolerability and clinical characteristics of the underlying disease remission ware assessed. Lymphocyte subpopulations were investigated over time by flow cytometry at 1, 6, and 12 months. IgG anti-diphtheria and anti-tetanus toxoids levels were assessed by ELISA. Within the first day of the post-vaccination period, two (7.7%) children demonstrated moderate local reactions and increased body temperature (up to 38.0°C). Relapse and metastasis were not mentioned within a year after immunization. An increase in concentration of IgG antibodies, maintained for 12 months, were noted [2.1 (1.3-3.4) IU/ml against diphtheria (p <0.001), 6.4 (2.3-9.7) IU/ml against tetanus (p <0.001)]. In contrast to healthy children, those with a history of cancer demonstrated a decrease in the relative number of mature T lymphocytes, as well as in absolute number of cytotoxic T cells and B lymphocytes. In a month after the revaccination, a significant increase in absolute (p = 0.04) and relative (p = 0.007) numbers of T lymphocytes and T helpers was revealed. In a year, these values decreased to baseline levels. As for helpers, they decreased below baseline and control values (p = 0.004). In a year after the vaccination, there was a significant (p = 0.05) increase in lymphocyte level with a decrease in the number of NK cells and B cells as compared with controls. Revaccination against diphtheria and tetanus promoted proliferation of a total lymphocytic cell pool along with restoration of the T lymphocyte subpopulation in children with a history of solid tumors. The ADS-m toxoid has a certain nonspecific immunomodulatory effect. These findings are important, also in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2021 Kostinov, Akhmatova, Karpocheva, Vlasenko, Polishchuk and Kostinov.)

It has been proven that post-vaccination immunity to measles virus after two doses of vaccine is not able to persistently protect against infection throughout life. The goal of this research was to determine the immune layer to the measles virus among women in labor and maternity ward personnel in the same medical institution. The levels of IgG antibodies to measles virus in the umbilical cord blood of 594 women in labor and 88 workers of the maternity ward were studied by ELISA. It was revealed that 22.7% of umbilical cord blood serum samples from parturient women and 21.4% of blood serum samples from maternity ward personnel were seronegative (<0.18 IU/ml). Levels of IgG antibodies to measles virus in low values (<1.0 IU/ml) were detected in 67% of blood serum samples among women in labor and 68.9% among employees of the maternity ward. Among women in labor, women under 35 years of age are at the highest risk of contracting measles; the proportion of women with low levels of protective antibodies in this age group was almost 70%, and the proportion of women without protective levels of antibodies was 23%. Compared with the age group 36-43, the age of women in labor under 35 was associated with a higher chance of not having immune protection against infection with measles virus OR [95% CI] = 2.2 [1.1-4.5] (p = 0.02) or had a low level of protection OR [95% CI] = 1.9 [1.2-3.0] (p = 0.001). It was also found that among women over 35 years of age, the proportion of persons with a high level of antibodies in women in labor was statistically significantly higher than among members of the maternity ward staff (13 and 0%, respectively, p = 0.007). Thus, maternity ward employees and women in labor constitute a risk group for measles due to the presence of a high proportion of seronegative persons among women of childbearing age (both maternity ward employees and women in labor). These conditions create the need to revise current approaches to present vaccination procedures, especially in the current epidemiological situation with COVID-19., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2021 Kostinov, Zhuravlev, Gladkova, Mashilov, Polishchuk, Shmitko, Zorina, Blagovidov, Pahomov, Vlasenko, Ryzhov and Khromova.)

Introduction: Measles remains an urgent problem in Russian healthcare. Despite the ongoing vaccination, there is an increase in the incidence of measles. Prevention of measles is particularly important in high-risk groups, as well as among healthcare professionals to prevent hospital-acquired outbreaks of infection. The duration of post-vaccination immunity during the elimination of measles has not been sufficiently studied, so often people who  have had measles in childhood or have 1-2 vaccinations against the disease lose their protective antibodies with age in the absence of natural boosterization.Goals and objectives. To study the intensity of specific immunity to measles in employees of the maternity unit., Material and Methods: The study involved 271 employees of the maternity unit aged 21 to 93 years (262 serum samples). The level of IgG antibodies (Ab) to the measles virus in the blood serum was studied by ELISA using a standard set of reagents for the quantitative determination of IgG by «VECTOR-BEST». The result was  considered negative if the concentration of IgG to the measles virus in tested sample was ≤ 0.18 IU/ml and  positive - if &gt; 0.18 IU/ml. Results. The number of seronegatives ranged from 0% to 30.8% in female employees with its maximum at age of 31-35 years. The lowest proportion of seronegative and the highest proportion of seropositive women were observed among the elderly, &gt; 60 years., Discussion: There is a marked tendency for an increase of the proportion of persons with average Ab levels with age and a decrease of the proportion of persons with low Ab levels. The percentage of seronegative women among employees exceeded the recommended level, which makes it possible for an nosocomial outbreak when an infection is introduced., Conclusion: The authors recommend that serological testing for the intensity of the immune response against measles should be included in the standard of the pre-vaccination screening for adults.

Aim: To assess the long-term clinical results of vaccination with pneumococcal polysaccharide and conjugated polysaccharide vaccines in the separate and sequential use, by determining the optimal vaccination schedule in adult patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and to investigate adaptive immunity levels., Subjects and Methods: The clinical effects of vaccination were evaluated in patients with COPD within 1 and 4 years after immunization against pneumococcal infection using various schemes, as well as the time course of changes in adaptive immunity indicators was examined., Results: Four years after vaccination, the 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13)/23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPV23) group showed a decline in the number of patients with COPD exacerbations by 50% (p<0.001) and reductions in the number of antimicrobial chemotherapy cycles by 47.8% (p<0.001) and in that of hospitalizations by 87.5% (p<0.001). At 1 year after vaccination versus at baseline, the COPD patients vaccinated against pneumococcal disease, regardless of the drug and schedule of vaccination, displayed elevated levels of IgG antibodies to the mixture of capsular polysaccharides included in PPV23 and PCV13., Conclusion: It has been indicated that a complex of basic therapy for patients with COPD should include initial vaccination with PCV13, followed by administration of a booster dose of PPV23.

Aim: Determine content of protective transplacental IgG against measles virus in umbilical blood of neonates of various regions of Russian Federation., Materials and Methods: Umbilical blood of 1147 neonates was studied, whose mothers had not previously had measles. 672 samples among those were from neonates of Moscow and Moscow Region, 475--from Rostov-on-Don. IgG values were determined in EIA using a standard kit from "Vector Best" (VectoKor-IgG). A kit from Euroimmun--Avidity: Anti-Measles Virus ELISA (IgG) was used for determination of avidity of IgG against measles virus., Results: Protective (≥ 0.18 IU/ml) IgG against measles were registered in 79.9% of children in Moscow, Moscow Region and in 81.3% of neonates in Rostov-on-Don. Mean level of IgG in umbilical blood sera of neonates from the studied regions was within protective values (1.74 ± 0.13 IU/ml and 1.51 ± 0.09 IU/ml, respectively). Predominance of low level antibodies was noted in the studied samples (< 1.0 IU/ml), those are highly avid though (AI > 60%). In neonates from women aged 16 - 25 years in Moscow and Moscow Region protective antibodies were detected in 83.6%; 26 - 35 years--in 75%; women aged 36 - 43 years--in 88.2% of cases. Mean level of IgG in umbilical blood of neonates from mothers aged 36 - 43 years was 1.5 times higher than from mothers aged 16 - 25 years and 2 times higher than mothers 26 - 35 years of age., Conclusion: Neonates from Moscow, Moscow Region and Rostov-on-Don, similarly, in 79.9% and 81.3% of cases are protected from measles, respectively. Women aged 26-35 years in 25% of cases are a risk group for measles morbidity and require a closer attention during selection of vaccination tactics before conception, and their neonates--on reaching decree terms.

Aim: To assess tolerability and immunological activity of Bubo-M vaccine and hepatitis B vaccine in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)., Materials and Methods: Sixty-three patients with moderate and severe COPD aged 35-65 years were immunized against diphtheria, tetanus, and hepatitis B. Bubo-M vaccine as well as vaccine against hepatitis B were used for immunization. Immunologic effect of vaccination was assessed by measurement of serum antibody level to HBsAg as well as to diphtheria and tetanus toxoids. Assessment of antibody level to HBsAg was performed by ELISA, and levels of antibodies to diphtheria and tetanus toxoids--by micromethod in direct hemagglutination assay. Reactogenicity of Bubo-M vaccine was measured according to duration and intensity of local and systemic reactions., Results: The local and systemic reactions were infrequent, serious adverse events after vaccination were not observed. Six months after vaccination, protective antibody titers to hepatitis B, diphtheria and tetanus were determined in all immunized persons--either healthy, or with COPD. During completion of vaccination schedule, significant reduction of acute respiratory infections rate and main disease exacerbations was noted in patients with COPD., Conclusion: Good tolerability and high immunogenicity of Bubo-M and hepatitis B vaccines were demonstrated in both groups of vacinees. These vaccines could be recommended for booster vaccination of adults with COPD.

Microbiological study of pharyngeal mucosa in 43 children with solid tumors revealed that 77.2% of isolated microorganisms belonged to Gram-positive flora. It was shown that streptococci and Staphylococcus aureus were the main species. Species composition of streptococci included both pyogenic (S. pyogenes, S. agalactiae, S. dysgalactiae, S. equi) andviridans species (S. acidominimus, S. oralis and "S. milleri" group). Nocardioform actinomycetes, corynebacteria and other staphylococci were referred to additional microflora. Accidental microflora was represented by Neisseria spp., non-fermenting Gram-negative bacteria, enterobacteria and yeast-like fungi. Microbiologic study of pharyngeal mucosa biocenosis showed that monoculture was present only in 2.3% of cases; in other cases microorganisms formed both intra-genus and inter-species associations. 2-6-component associations were revealed with predominance of 3-4-component associations (37.2% and 32.6% respectively). Relationship of distribution of microorganisms belonging to main and additional microflora was revealed.