Search Results (46)

Background/Objectives: Prevention of virus-related cancers is a multifaceted process shaped by vaccination and public awareness. This study assessed awareness of virus–cancer relationships and willingness to vaccinate against a cancer-associated virus among medical and non-medical students. We also evaluated whether human papillomavirus (HPV)-vaccinated students demonstrate greater awareness of the HPV-cancer link compared to unvaccinated students, and examined willingness to vaccinate against a certain cancer-associated virus according to HPV vaccination status. Methods: This cross-sectional survey was conducted in Poland (October 2023–June 2024) and included 1013 first- and second-year university students recruited via convenience sampling. Participation was voluntary and anonymous. Results: Awareness of virus–cancer relationships was low, ranging from 19% for Epstein–Barr virus-related cancers to 43.8% for HPV-related cervical cancer. Women were more likely than men to recognize the HPV–cervical cancer link (OR = 2.08, p < 0.001), supporting gender differences and the need for gender-neutral HPV education with targeted strategies for men. Medical students demonstrated higher awareness than non-medical students. HPV vaccination coverage was low (14.5%), with higher uptake among medical students (21.2% vs. 8.2%). Notably, 41.3% of non-medical students and 7.5% of medical students had never heard of HPV vaccination. Willingness to vaccinate against a cancer-associated virus varied according to perceived infection risk. Conclusions: These findings highlight the need for targeted educational interventions to improve awareness of HPV–cancer links and risk perception, as well as to ensure ongoing education of both HPV-vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals to support informed health decisions and vaccine acceptance. Full article

Human papillomavirus (HPV) can cause cervical cancer. Global viral eradication relies on specific criteria, including a single host species and effective vaccines, a feat successfully achieved with smallpox and rinderpest. Although measles is also a candidate for elimination, its progress has been hindered by vaccine hesitancy based on misinformation about vaccine safety. Similarly, HPV is an ideal candidate for eradication due to its strict human infectivity and the proven vaccine efficacy in reducing cancer rates and establishing herd immunity. We highlighted the growing global consensus on single-dose HPV vaccination to improve feasibility and compliance with comparable effectiveness and safety to three-dose vaccination. Supporting this, we demonstrated that mice receiving a single HPV vaccine produced anti-HPV antibodies without a prolonged pro-inflammatory cytokine profile. On the other hand, in Japan, a nine-year suspension of proactive government recommendations occurred due to alleged adverse events termed “HPV vaccination-associated neuro-immunopathic syndrome (HANS),” drastically reducing vaccination rates, despite rigorous international studies have confirmed the vaccine’s safety. Critical scientific evaluation demonstrated that HANS failed to meet the criteria for autoimmune diseases (Witebsky’s postulates); no evidence has been presented that HANS is a novel autoimmune disease. The claim of molecular mimicry between HPV L1 and human proteins was based solely on flawed computational analyses. Furthermore, the hypothesis implicating a pathogenic role for aluminum adjuvants was unsupported by experimental evidence; HANS animal models were flawed methodologically and unreproducible experimentally. In summary, we believe that implementing worldwide HPV vaccination strategies, including gender-neutral and single-dose programs, as well as denouncing pseudoscientific claims hold the potential to eliminate high-risk HPV types globally. Full article

Background/Objectives: Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is the most important tick-borne viral central nervous system (CNS) infection in Europe and Asia. Since the introduction of a vaccine in Austria in the late 1970s, sero-epidemiological studies on the true incidence of tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) infection in the population have been difficult, because it was not possible to distinguish between vaccine- and infection-induced antibodies. The goal of our study has been to analyze the sero-epidemiology of TBEV infections, vaccination protection rate, and manifestation index of the disease in the region of interest. Methods: Applying a newly developed anti-TBEV-NS1-IgG assay and the neutralization test, the protection and infection rates in blood donors of the Austrian Federal State of Upper Austria.It is one of the first areas in Austria, where the TBEV vaccine had been rolled out and broadly used. Samples from blood donors of all districts of the Federal State of Upper Austria were screened for anti-TBEV-IgG. Positive sera were differentiated for infection- and vaccine-induced antibodies. The results were matched with donor age, gender, and geographical origin. Results: 2162 samples were analyzed. A total of 87.0% of the blood donors tested showed anti-TBEV-IgG related to past TBEV vaccination. Within the unvaccinated group, a total of 13.3% of male and 9.9% of female blood donors exhibited anti-TBEV-NS1-IgG, indicating a past TBEV infection. The anti-TBE-NS1-IgG seroprevalence was determined at 74/100,000 for the whole population and at 594/100,000 in the non-vaccinated population. The manifestation index (MI) was calculated at 2.8%. The MI is defined as the probability or percentage of infected individuals who develop clinical symptoms of a disease. Conclusions: Our data provide evidence of a continuing high risk of TBEV infection in the Federal state of Upper Austria. The non-vaccinated population has an eightfold higher infection prevalence compared to the whole population. The MI of TBEV for severe infection seems lower as detailed in previous reports. Full article

Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination may eventually eradicate oncogenic vaccine-targeted HPVs but only with a strategy that also protects unvaccinated individuals. We compared the impact of gender-neutral and girls-only vaccination strategies on the indirect and direct protection of unvaccinated and vaccinated young women against HPV16/18 infection using HPV16/18 seropositivity and PCR positivity 3–7 years post vaccination as the outcome measure. A total of 33 Finnish communities were randomized to one of three vaccination strategies: bivalent gender-neutral HPV vaccination (Arm A), girls-only HPV vaccination (Arm B), or control hepatitis B vaccination (Arm C). All individuals born between 1992 and 1995 and residing in these communities (n = 80,272) were invited to participate. Overall, 11,662 males and 20,513 females consented, corresponding to vaccination coverages of 25% and 45%, respectively, in 2007–2009. Between 2010 and 2014, 11,396 cervical samples were collected from 18-year-old participants and subjected to high-throughput PCR-based HPV genotyping. In addition, serum samples were obtained from 8022 unvaccinated women under 23 years of age residing in Arm A (n = 2657), Arm B (n = 2691), or Arm C (n = 2674) communities during the pre-vaccination (2005–2010) and post-vaccination (2011–2016) periods. To assess indirect vaccine effects using PCR and serological outcomes in unvaccinated women, we compared reductions in HPV16/18 prevalence from baseline within the gender-neutral and girls-only vaccination arms, using the control arm as a reference. A significant decrease in seroprevalence between the pre- and post-vaccination periods was detected in the gender-neutral communities for both HPV16 (seroprevalence ratio = 0.64) and HPV18 (0.72), whereas no comparable reductions were observed in the girls-only or control communities. In contrast, a significant reduction in HPV18 PCR-based prevalence from baseline to the post-vaccination period was observed in both the gender-neutral (0.32) and girls-only (0.61) communities. However, after accounting for ratios of seroprevalence rations for secular trends, the corresponding decrease in HPV18 seroprevalence was no longer statistically significant. Vaccine efficacy (VE) in Arm A or Arm B versus Arm C of vaccinated women measured the direct protection of vaccinated women by vaccination strategy. HPV16/18 VEs varied between 89% and 96% with some indication of herd effect against HPV18. Robust effectiveness of vaccination against PCR-confirmed cervical HPV16/18 infections, along with rapid indirect protection against HPV16/18 and HPV18 infections, was evident even with vaccination reaching only 25% and 45% coverage. Our results suggest that vaccine efficacy and herd effect induced by gender-neutral 2vHPV vaccination sets the stage for comprehensive HPV eradication, including the unvaccinated in the vaccinated communities. Full article

Objectives: The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants with enhanced immune evasion capabilities poses ongoing challenges for maintaining population-level immunity. This study aim to evaluate neutralizing antibody responses to the wild-type (WT) strain and the Omicron sublineage XBB.1.9 in the Israeli population using serum samples collected between August 2022 and January 2023, prior to widespread circulation of XBB.1.9. Methods: Pseudovirus-based microneutralization assays incorporating variant-specific spike proteins were employed to measure neutralizing geometric mean titers (GMTs) across subgroups categorized by age, gender, socioeconomic status, and geographic region. Results: Neutralizing titers against XBB.1.9 were significantly lower than those against WT across all demographic groups, with a 29-fold reduction in neutralization activity against XBB.1.9, underscoring the immune escape potential of XBB.1.9. For WT, older adults (≥65 years) exhibited higher titers than younger individuals (p < 0.01), whereas no significant age-related differences were observed for XBB.1.9 (p > 0.05). Regional disparities in WT immunity were identified, with higher titers in Northern Israel compared to Jerusalem and Southern regions. By contrast, XBB.1.9 neutralization showed no significant regional variation. Conclusions: These findings demonstrate substantially reduced neutralization of XBB.1.9 compared to WT and reveal disparities in WT immunity by age and region. The results emphasize the need for updated vaccines targeting immune-evasive variants and for tailored vaccination strategies to address regional and demographic gaps in protection. Full article

Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination is a cornerstone of cancer prevention across genders. In the United Kingdom (UK), the programme now includes boys, yet uptake remains below target, with persistent disparities by gender and region. This commentary examines the drivers of these gaps, including the historical framing of the HPV vaccine as a vaccine for girls, limited public awareness of boys’ eligibility, and challenges in school-based delivery. Gendered misconceptions, cultural norms, and inadequate communication continue to limit uptake in boys, while healthcare professionals, including general practitioners, dentists, and pharmacists, remain underused in supporting vaccine access and tackling parental hesitancy. Schools are central to equitable delivery, but teachers often lack training and possess low-to-moderate knowledge of HPV-related topics, including HPV vaccination availability for boys and HPV-related cancers affecting men. Drawing on health behaviour theory, we propose evidence-informed, multi-level recommendations to improve uptake, from gender-inclusive messaging and more efficient consent processes to digital engagement tools that support parents. We also highlight our ongoing research into parental attitudes toward HPV vaccination for boys aged 9–12 in England, which will inform future targeted interventions and policy development. Full article

Human papillomavirus (HPV) represents the most common sexually transmitted infection worldwide and a major public health challenge. Nearly all sexually active individuals will acquire HPV during their lifetime, with the highest prevalence observed in adolescents and young adults shortly after sexual debut. More than 200 genotypes have been described, ranging from low-risk types, mainly responsible for benign lesions, to high-risk types, which are associated with cervical, anogenital, and head and neck cancers. While most infections are transient and spontaneously cleared by the immune system, persistent high-risk HPV can lead to precancerous lesions and malignant transformation, often in synergy with other sexually transmitted pathogens or in the context of microbiome imbalance. The introduction of vaccines and advanced screening technologies has substantially modified prevention strategies. Vaccination coverage remains heterogeneous, with persistent gaps particularly among males due to cultural, social, and educational barriers. Schools are increasingly recognized as strategic environments to promote awareness, sex education, and gender-neutral vaccination. Innovative approaches such as microbiome modulation, therapeutic vaccines, and liquid biopsy biomarkers are emerging as promising perspectives. This review aims to provide an updated overview of HPV epidemiology, clinical impact, prevention strategies, and future frontiers, with special attention to adolescents as a priority target group. Full article

Background: Vaccines are crucial for preventing infectious diseases, as both humoral and cellular immune responses play a vital role in combating viral infections. The cellular immune response is crucial against SARS-CoV-2, particularly with the emergence of new variants that evade antibody neutralization. This study focuses on the immune memory response in individuals who have been vaccinated with the Sinopharm BBIBP-CorV vaccine. Methods: A cross-sectional study evaluated lymphocyte subpopulations using flow cytometry in 52 vaccinated adults (30 females, 22 males) who had been exposed to SARS-CoV-2 or diagnosed with COVID-19. Conducted from February to June 2023 during the Omicron variant’s circulation, this study assessed antigens—CD154 in CD4+ T cells, CD107 and CD314 in CD8+ T cells, CD314 in NK cells, and CD86 in CD19 B cells—after stimulation with viral peptides and an inactivated virus. Granzyme B and IFN-γ were quantified using ELISA. Results: The memory response, regardless of gender, age, or Body Mass Index (BMI), was mild but significant upon exposure to a viral antigen or inactivated virus. An increase in the secretion of IFN-γ and granzyme B was also observed. Conclusions: It is suggested that the vaccine was able to generate a mild long-term memory against the SARS-CoV-2 virus in vaccinated adult individuals, independent of gender and BMI. Full article

Background: Lumpy skin disease (LSD) is major transboundary disease affecting cattle and water buffaloes, indirectly causing huge socio-economic losses. Following its first outbreak in India in 2019, the heterologous Goatpox (Uttarkashi strain) vaccine mitigated LSD. Objective: Due to limited data on the spatiotemporal distribution of the disease, this study investigates its dynamics and presents findings from a field study conducted in Maharashtra, India. This study evaluates the safety, immunogenicity, and duration of immunity provided by a heterologous vaccine. Additionally, it examines post-vaccination responses in relation to factors such as age, gender, and breed. Methods: This study employed spatiotemporal analysis of lumpy skin disease (LSD) outbreaks from 2020 to 2024 using GeoDa (v1.22), incorporating Moran’s I and Getis-Ord Gi* statistics to identify spatial clustering patterns. A randomized field trial was conducted to evaluate vaccine safety and immunogenicity in 657 cattle across seven districts. Humoral immune responses were assessed using the serum neutralization test (SNT) and indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), while cell-mediated immunity was evaluated via Interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) ELISA. For sero-monitoring, a total of 1925 serum samples from 22 districts were analyzed. Additionally, statistical analyses (n = 1925), including the Kappa Index, ANOVA, and logistic regression, were performed using SPSS v27 to investigate the influence of factors such as age, sex, and breed (significance level: p < 0.05). Results: LSD exhibited significant spatial clustering across Maharashtra. The Goatpox vaccine was 100% safe, with no adverse reactions. Protective antibody titers (≥1:8) were observed in 96.9% of vaccinated cattle by 14–21 days post-vaccination (dpv), peaking at 60 dpv before declining at 150 dpv. The cell-mediated immune response peaked at 28 dpv. Clinical monitoring for one year showed that only 2% of vaccinated cattle developed mild LSD symptoms after nine months, with no mortality. At six months post-vaccination, seroconversion was 69.7%, with breed significantly influencing seropositivity. Conclusions: This study confirms the Goatpox vaccine’s safety and strong immunogenicity in cattle, marking its first large-scale evaluation in the Indian subcontinent. Further research is needed to assess long-term immunity and protection against virulent LSD strains. Full article

Background/Objectives: Cervical cancer is a significant issue in Indonesia, with many cases diagnosed at advanced stages. Although the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination has long been recommended by the WHO, it was only recently included in Indonesia’s immunization program in 2023. This study aimed to examine the existing prevention strategies and their effectiveness through systematic review of the existing literature. Methods: We searched for cost-effectiveness studies of HPV vaccination in Asia Pacific countries from inception until 23 July 2023, using MEDLINE, Embase, and the Cochrane Library databases. The search strategy included keywords and subject terms for primary prevention, HPV vaccination, cervical cancer, and selected Asia Pacific Countries (Thailand, Vietnam, China, Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines, Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Australia, New Zealand, and Hong Kong). Studies selected were limited to original research articles with full text published in English in peer-reviewed journals, describing the cost-effectiveness of HPV vaccination in cervical cancer prevention in the Asia Pacific countries. Studies were excluded if there were no full text was available, if it was the wrong study design, non-English, or not based in the specific Asia Pacific countries selected. The titles and abstracts were screened, followed by full-text reviews using Covidence software, and analyzed using Excel. Results: Forty-three studies were included for review: 51% in high-income countries (HICs), 37% in upper-middle-income countries (UMICs), and 12% in low-middle-income countries (LMICs). All studies concluded that HPV vaccination is more cost-effective than screening alone. Nonavalent HPV vaccines were more cost-effective in HICs (80%), bivalent vaccines were more cost-effective in UMICs (66%), and gender-neutral vaccination was cost-effective compared to screening in all studies conducted. Conclusions: HPV vaccination is a cost-effective prevention strategy for cervical cancer across all resource settings, offering greater value compared to screening alone. Selecting the most economically viable vaccine type and expanding to gender-neutral vaccination could enhance early prevention efforts. These findings offer guidance for Indonesia in designing evidence-based HPV vaccination policies as a part of national cancer control efforts. Further investigation is necessary to determine the optimal strategy for HPV vaccination in Indonesia. Full article

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection remains a critical public health challenge in China, particularly in Guangdong Province, where HPV-52, 16, and 58 genotypes predominate, and male infection rates exceed 40%. Despite the successful implementation of a government-funded school-based program that has achieved 88% HPV vaccine coverage among adolescent girls, several persistent barriers, including genotype mismatch (the free HPV vaccine covers < 50% of high-risk local strains), regional disparities (80% vs. 60% for first-dose coverage), and exclusion of males, thwart progress toward herd immunity. Financial sustainability risks pose an even more significant threat to the expansion of HPV vaccination programs, especially in Guangdong province where annual expenditures exceed CNY 200 million. This review delves into Guangdong’s pioneering efforts and proposes practical solutions: accelerating domestic multivalent HPV vaccine development, adopting gender-neutral vaccination policies, and leveraging mobile clinics for remote populations. These strategies not only provide a roadmap for China but also serve as valuable insight for other LMICs striving to overcome HPV-related inequalities. Full article

Introduction: Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) require immunosuppressive drugs like biologics. All IBD patients, including those on biological therapy, should be vaccinated against COVID-19, according to the ECCO recommendations. IBD patients on anti-TNF treatment exhibited lower COVID-19 vaccine responses; however, SARS-CoV-2 variant neutralizing antibody titers have been seldom studied. Methods: IBD patients and healthcare professionals (control group) were tested for COVID-19 vaccine immunogenicity by neutralizing antibody titers against Wild-Type SARS-CoV-2 and its variants. IBD patients were assigned to no treatment/mesalamine, anti-TNF biologic therapy, or non-anti-TNF biologic therapy. The study was performed in a tertiary hospital in Palermo, Sicily, from May to July 2021. Results: In total, 107 IBD patients and 41 healthcare workers were enrolled. A total of 46 patients received mesalamine or no medication, 28 received anti-TNF biologics, and 33 received non-anti-TNF biologics. No significant differences were found in age, gender, or timing of blood sampling post vaccination. Omicron neutralizing activity was markedly reduced in all groups (p < 0.001). The group of patients on anti-TNF biologics showed lower neutralizing antibody titers against Alpha, Delta, and Gamma strains than every other group analyzed. Conclusions: IBD patients on anti-TNF drugs have a reduced serological response to the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine, with the Omicron variant not being neutralized. This highlights the necessity for tailored vaccine strategies for these patients. Full article

Background/Objectives: Millions of individuals worldwide continue to experience symptoms following SARS-CoV-2 infection. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and phenotype of multi-system symptoms attributed to Long COVID—including fatigue, pain, cognitive-emotional disturbances, headache, cardiopulmonary issues, and alterations in taste and smell—that have persisted for at least two years after acute infection, which we define as “persistent Long COVID”. Additionally, the study aimed to identify clinical features and blood biomarkers associated with persistent Long COVID symptoms. Methods: We sent a detailed long COVID symptoms questionnaire to an existing cohort of 1258 vaccinated adults (age 18–79 years) who had mild infection (e.g., non-hospitalized) SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant 2 years earlier. These individuals had comprehensive datasets, including blood samples, available for further analysis. We estimated prevalence of persistent long COVID two years post-infection using weighted adjustment (Horvitz–Thompson estimator) to overcome reporting bias. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to determine association of clinical features and blood biomarkers (pre-infection SARS-CoV-2 RBD-IgG, SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies, and pre-infection and post-infection neurofilament light) with prevalence of persistent long COVID. Results: N = 323 participants responded to the survey, of whom N = 74 (23%) reported at least one long COVID symptom that had persisted for two years after the acute infection. Weighted prevalence of persistent long COVID symptoms was 21.5% (95% CI = 16.7–26.3%). Female gender, smoking, and severity of acute COVID-19 infection were significantly associated with persistent Long COVID. The blood biomarkers assessed were not significantly associated with persistent Long COVID. Conclusions: Among vaccinated adults two years after mild infection with Delta variant SARS-CoV-2, persistent symptoms attributed to Long COVID are extremely common, certain subgroups are at higher risk, and further research into biological mechanisms and potential treatment targets is needed. Full article

Given the rising incidence of human papillomavirus (HPV)-related diseases, including cervical, penile, and oropharyngeal cancers, particularly among men, the implementation of comprehensive HPV vaccination strategies is necessary in South Korea. This position statement advocates the introduction of gender-neutral vaccination (GNV) in the country. It recommends the administration of the HPV vaccine to both men and women aged 9–26 years to prevent a broad spectrum of HPV-related conditions. Specifically, individuals aged 9–14 years are advised to receive two doses of the vaccine, whereas those aged 15–26 years are advised to receive three doses. The optimal age for vaccination is identified as 11–12 years old. Additionally, this statement recommends that women aged 27 years and older be vaccinated based on the discretion of healthcare providers. The introduction of GNV is essential to curb the spread of HPV and reduce the overall burden of HPV-related cancers, making it a critical public health initiative in Korea. Full article

In recent years, increasing attention has been paid to understanding the causes of infertility, which is being recognized as a growing health problem affecting large numbers of couples worldwide. Male infertility is a contributing factor in approximately 30–40% of cases, and one of its etiological causes is sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Among sexually transmitted pathogens, human papillomavirus (HPV) can contribute in various ways to the failure of spontaneous and assisted reproduction, acting in the different phases of conception, especially in the early ones. In particular, HPV infection can affect sperm DNA integrity, sperm motility, count, viability, and morphology and can induce the production of anti-sperm antibodies (ASAs). In this narrative review, we aimed to provide an overview of existing research on the potential adverse effects of HPV infection on male reproductive health. Furthermore, we analyzed how limiting the spread of the infection, particularly with gender-neutral vaccination, could be a possible therapeutic tool to counteract male and female fertility problems. Full article