Communicable Diseases: New and Old Therapies and Preventive Strategies

A special issue of Vaccines (ISSN 2076-393X). This special issue belongs to the section "Vaccines against Tropical and other Infectious Diseases".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 February 2025 | Viewed by 17802

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, University of Messina, 98124 Messina, Italy
Interests: population health management; vaccination; vaccine hesitancy; health behavior and vaccination; health communication in vaccination campaigns
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

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Guest Editor
Department of Biomedical, Dental and Morphological and Functional Imaging Sciences, Università degli Studi di Messina, Messina, Italy
Interests: vaccination; infectious disease; public health

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Biomedical, Dental and Morphological and Functional Imaging Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
Interests: vaccination; infectious disease; public health

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Biomedical, Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, University of Messina, 98124 Messina, Italy
Interests: vaccination; infectious disease; public health

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The emergence of new pathogens demands the constant development of preventive and therapeutic strategies. Moreover, due to the growing concern around antimicrobial resistance, new methods and tools are needed to combat the spread of older pathogens.

We invite contributions to this Special Issue, which aims to provide articles on new preventive strategies and therapies and to discuss the challenges and benefits of established ones. Original research articles, commentaries, research protocols, and reviews are welcome. Research areas may include the development of new vaccines or therapies, the development and efficacy of new preventive strategies, and the current lack of therapies and preventive strategies.

Dr. Cristina Genovese
Dr. Calimeri Sebastiano
Dr. Daniela Lo Giudice
Dr. Vincenza La Fauci
Dr. Vincenza Gianfredi
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Vaccines is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • vaccines
  • therapies
  • communicable diseases
  • hesitancy
  • acceptance

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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12 pages, 245 KiB  
Article
Factors Associated with the Uptake of Rotavirus and Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccines among Children in Armenia: Implications for Future New Vaccine Introductions
by Anya Agopian, Heather Young, Scott Quinlan and Madeline Murguia Rice
Vaccines 2023, 11(11), 1719; https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines11111719 - 15 Nov 2023
Viewed by 1663
Abstract
Advances in vaccinology have resulted in various new vaccines being introduced into recommended immunization schedules. Armenia introduced the rotavirus vaccine (RV) and the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) into its national schedule in 2012 and 2014, respectively. Using data from the Armenia Demographic and [...] Read more.
Advances in vaccinology have resulted in various new vaccines being introduced into recommended immunization schedules. Armenia introduced the rotavirus vaccine (RV) and the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) into its national schedule in 2012 and 2014, respectively. Using data from the Armenia Demographic and Health Survey, the uptake of the RV and the PCV among children aged younger than three years was estimated. Multilevel logistic regression models were used to evaluate individual- and community-level factors associated with uptake. Intra-cluster correlations were estimated to explain variations in uptake between clusters. The uptake proportionof each RV dose were 90.0% and 86.6%, while each PCV dose had values of 83.5%, 79.4%, and 75.5%, respectively. Non-uptake was highest among children less than 6 months old, children with one sibling, children from a wealthy family, or children whose living distance to a health clinic was problematic. Significant variability in non-uptake due to cluster differences was found for both RV doses (30.5% and 22.8%, respectively) and for the second PCV dose (53.9%). When developing strategies for new vaccine implementation, characteristics of the child, such as age, siblingship, and distance to a health clinic or residence, should be considered. Further exploration of cluster differences may provide insights based on the increased uptake of these and other new vaccines. Full article
11 pages, 1775 KiB  
Article
Rates of Primary and Secondary Prevention of Cervical Cancer: A Study in a Province in the South of Italy
by Miriam Gorgone, Andrea Squeri, Sara Cuffari, Vincenza La Fauci, Ioselita Giunta, Serena Calderone, Raffaele Squeri and Cristina Genovese
Vaccines 2023, 11(11), 1688; https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines11111688 - 3 Nov 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1604
Abstract
In Italy, cervical cancer represents the fifth most prevalent cancer in women under 50 years of age and is one of the most commonly detected lesions globally. Given the developing burden of the disease and the availability of both primary and secondary prevention [...] Read more.
In Italy, cervical cancer represents the fifth most prevalent cancer in women under 50 years of age and is one of the most commonly detected lesions globally. Given the developing burden of the disease and the availability of both primary and secondary prevention measures, their accurate surveillance is of paramount importance. The aim of this study was to evaluate the trends in cervical cancer screening adherence in the period between 2020 and 2022, as well as to evaluate positive tests, identifying the most frequently associated genotypes and the vaccination coverage. The study sample was made up of 6880 women from the health district of Messina. We highlighted that there was a high proportion of positive results in the investigated period, with a high prevalence of HSIL. Moreover, HPV vaccination coverage was clearly inadequate, as was adherence to screening, both far away from WHO goals. This finding is probably linked to inadequate communication and awareness of the issue in the population and to the lack of data relating to tests carried out privately. In accordance with existing data in the literature, the introduction of the HPV-DNA test in Sicily made it possible to identify women positive for the genotypes most frequently involved in the etiopathogenesis of neoplastic lesions (genotypes 16 and 18), as well as for those in the “others” category, which should be investigated because some of them could have an impact on carcinogenicity and, for this reason, a future vaccine including them could represent a new prevention weapon. Full article
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Review

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17 pages, 744 KiB  
Review
Herpes Zoster and Cardiovascular Disease: Exploring Associations and Preventive Measures through Vaccination
by Minako Yamaoka-Tojo and Taiki Tojo
Vaccines 2024, 12(3), 252; https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines12030252 - 28 Feb 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 5216
Abstract
Herpes zoster, induced by the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus (VZV), is a unilaterally distributed vesicular rash that can cause multiple complications. VZV not only causes neurological problems, including postherpetic neuralgia and ocular zoster, but also causes inflammatory vasculopathy and increases the incidence [...] Read more.
Herpes zoster, induced by the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus (VZV), is a unilaterally distributed vesicular rash that can cause multiple complications. VZV not only causes neurological problems, including postherpetic neuralgia and ocular zoster, but also causes inflammatory vasculopathy and increases the incidence of hemorrhagic or ischemic complications. Therefore, understanding the association between the development of herpes zoster and the subsequent occurrence of acute stroke or cardiovascular diseases, including myocardial infarction and heart failure, is of great interest. Conversely, many risk factors are involved in the development of herpes zoster. Recently, it has become clear that aging, insufficient immune function, and diseases related to lifestyle habits (for example, stroke and cardiovascular disease), can trigger the onset of herpes zoster. Preventing the onset of herpes zoster, which substantially reduces quality of life, will lead to lower medical costs for countries and extend healthy life expectancy for general populations. Thus, because herpes zoster is a vaccine-preventable disease, active vaccination is recommended for high-risk groups. This review summarizes the association between herpes zoster and cardiovascular disease and vaccination against herpes zoster as a useful disease management and prevention measure for cardiovascular disease. Full article
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15 pages, 292 KiB  
Review
Pneumococcal Vaccination in Adults: A Narrative Review of Considerations for Individualized Decision-Making
by Kay Choong See
Vaccines 2023, 11(5), 908; https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines11050908 - 27 Apr 2023
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3940
Abstract
Pneumococcal disease remains one of the major causes of severe disease in both children and adults. Severe disease may be prevented by pneumococcal polysaccharide and conjugate vaccines, which currently cover more than 20 serotypes. However, unlike routine pneumococcal vaccination in children, guidelines promote [...] Read more.
Pneumococcal disease remains one of the major causes of severe disease in both children and adults. Severe disease may be prevented by pneumococcal polysaccharide and conjugate vaccines, which currently cover more than 20 serotypes. However, unlike routine pneumococcal vaccination in children, guidelines promote only limited pneumococcal vaccination in adults, and do not cater for decision-making for individual patients. In this narrative review, considerations for individualized decision-making are identified and discussed. This review identifies and discusses considerations for individualized decision-making, including the risk of severe disease, immunogenicity, clinical efficacy, mucosal immunity, herd immunity, concomitant administration with other vaccines, waning immunity, and replacement strains. Full article
18 pages, 375 KiB  
Review
Insights into the Novel Therapeutics and Vaccines against Herpes Simplex Virus
by Shiza Malik, Ranjit Sah, Omar Ahsan, Khalid Muhammad and Yasir Waheed
Vaccines 2023, 11(2), 325; https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines11020325 - 31 Jan 2023
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 4328
Abstract
Herpes simplex virus (HSV) is a great concern of the global health community due to its linked infection of inconspicuous nature and resultant serious medical consequences. Seropositive patients may develop ocular disease or genital herpes as characteristic infectious outcomes. Moreover, the infectious nature [...] Read more.
Herpes simplex virus (HSV) is a great concern of the global health community due to its linked infection of inconspicuous nature and resultant serious medical consequences. Seropositive patients may develop ocular disease or genital herpes as characteristic infectious outcomes. Moreover, the infectious nature of HSV is so complex that the available therapeutic options have been modified in certain ways to cure it. However, no permanent and highly effective cure has been discovered. This review generates insights into the available prophylactic and therapeutic interventions against HSV. A methodological research approach is used for study design and data complication. Only the latest data from publications are acquired to shed light on updated therapeutic approaches. These studies indicate that the current antiviral therapeutics can suppress the symptoms and control viral transmission up to a certain level, but cannot eradicate the natural HSV infection and latency outcomes. Most trials that have entered the clinical phase are made part of this review to understand what is new within the field. Some vaccination approaches are also discussed. Moreover, some novel therapeutic options that are currently in research annals are given due consideration for future development. The data can enable the scientific community to direct their efforts to fill the gaps that remain unfilled in terms of therapies for HSV. The need is to integrate scientific efforts to produce a proper cure against HSV to control the virus spread, resistance, and mutation in future disease management. Full article
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