Herpes zoster (HZ; shingles) caused by varicella zoster virus reactivation increases stroke risk for up to 1 year after HZ. The underlying mechanisms are unclear, however, the development of stroke distant from the site of zoster (eg, thoracic, lumbar, sacral) that can occur months after resolution of rash points to a long-lasting, virus-induced soluble factor… Continue reading Zoster-Associated Prothrombotic Plasma Exosomes and Increased Stroke Risk
Category: Infectivology
SARS-CoV-2—The Role of Natural Immunity: A Narrative Review
Background: Both natural immunity and vaccine-induced immunity to COVID-19 may be useful to reduce the mortality/morbidity of this disease, but still a lot of controversy exists. Aims: This narrative review analyzes the literature regarding these two immunitary processes and more specifically: (a) the duration of natural immunity; (b) cellular immunity; (c) cross-reactivity; (d) the duration… Continue reading SARS-CoV-2—The Role of Natural Immunity: A Narrative Review
Curing the pandemic of misinformation on COVID-19 mRNA vaccines through real evidence-based medicine – Part 1
Background: In response to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), several new pharmaceutical agents have been administered to billions of people worldwide, including the young and healthy at little risk from the virus. Considerable leeway has been afforded in terms of the pre-clinical and clinical testing of these agents, despite an entirely novel mechanism of… Continue reading Curing the pandemic of misinformation on COVID-19 mRNA vaccines through real evidence-based medicine – Part 1
Association Between Aluminum Exposure From Vaccines Before Age 24 Months and Persistent Asthma at Age 24 to 59 Months
ObjectiveTo assess the association between cumulative aluminum exposure from vaccines before age 24 months and persistent asthma at age 24 to 59 months.MethodsA retrospective cohort study was conducted in the Vaccine Safety Datalink (VSD). Vaccination histories were used to calculate cumulative vaccine-associated aluminum in milligrams (mg). The persistent asthma definition required one inpatient or 2 outpatient asthma… Continue reading Association Between Aluminum Exposure From Vaccines Before Age 24 Months and Persistent Asthma at Age 24 to 59 Months
Understanding the Pharmacology of COVID-19 mRNA Vaccines: Playing Dice with the Spike?
AbstractCoronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) mRNA vaccines are the mainstays of mass vaccination campaigns in most Western countries. However, the emergency conditions in which their development took place made it impossible to fully characterize their effects and mechanism of action. Here, we summarize and discuss available evidence indicating that COVID-19 mRNA vaccines better reflect pharmaceutical drugs than… Continue reading Understanding the Pharmacology of COVID-19 mRNA Vaccines: Playing Dice with the Spike?
Risk of Myocarditis After Sequential Doses of COVID-19 Vaccine and SARS-CoV-2 Infection by Age and Sex
AbstractBackground:Myocarditis is more common after severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection than after COVID-19 vaccination, but the risks in younger people and after sequential vaccine doses are less certain.Methods:A self-controlled case series study of people ages 13 years or older vaccinated for COVID-19 in England between December 1, 2020, and December 15, 2021, evaluated… Continue reading Risk of Myocarditis After Sequential Doses of COVID-19 Vaccine and SARS-CoV-2 Infection by Age and Sex
Role of scientific advice in covid-19 policy
Key messageGovernments claimed to be following scientific advice during the pandemic to legitimise decisionsAdvice should be autonomous to ensure that governments do not simply seek advice that aligns with what they want to hearTransparency is also essential to know who gave the advice and what the government did with itThe UK’s advice system was not… Continue reading Role of scientific advice in covid-19 policy
Titanium dioxide particles frequently present in face masks intended for general use require regulatory control
Although titanium dioxide (TiO2) is a suspected human carcinogen when inhaled, fiber-grade TiO2 (nano)particles were demonstrated in synthetic textile fibers of face masks intended for the general public. STEM-EDX analysis on sections of a variety of single use and reusable face masks visualized agglomerated near-spherical TiO2 particles in non-woven fabrics, polyester, polyamide and bi-component fibers. Median sizes… Continue reading Titanium dioxide particles frequently present in face masks intended for general use require regulatory control
Predicting the efficacy of variant-modified COVID-19 vaccine boosters
As a result of the emergence and circulation of antigenically distinct SARS-CoV-2 variants, a number of variant-modified COVID-19 vaccines have been developed. Here we perform a meta-analysis of the available data on neutralisation titres from clinical studies comparing booster vaccination with either the current ancestral-based vaccines or variant-modified vaccines. We then use this to predict… Continue reading Predicting the efficacy of variant-modified COVID-19 vaccine boosters
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