Human vaccines & immunotherapeutics
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Hum Vaccin Immunother · Dec 2020
ReviewSystemic innate and adaptive immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 as it relates to other coronaviruses.
The deadly pandemic caused by the novel coronavirus, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) represents one of the greatest threats humanity has faced in the last century. Infection with this easily transmissible virus can run the gamut from asymptomatic to fatal, and the disease caused by SARS-CoV-2 has been termed Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). What little research that has already been conducted implicates pathological responses by the immune system as the leading culprit responsible for much of the morbidity and mortality caused by COVID-19. In this review we will summarize what is currently known about the systemic immune response to SARS-CoV-2 and potential immunotherapeutic approaches.
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Hum Vaccin Immunother · Dec 2020
ReviewGlobal scenario, public health concerns and mitigation strategies to counter current ongoing SARS-CoV-2 / COVID-19 pandemic.
Severe acute respiratory syndrome Coronavirus- 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the etiological agent of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), has posed a great public health threat to the global community as a pandemic. The origin of the virus has been linked to animals, through a yet-to-be-identified intermediate host. The disease is transmitted to humans mainly through inhalation or contact with infected droplets. ⋯ There is an urgent need to strengthen One Health surveillance, intervention, and management strategies to understand the ecology of coronaviruses and to prevent epidemics in the future. Global attention toward the development of treatments, immunotherapies, vaccines, and control options to combat the COVID-19 pandemic has been on an increasing trend. Here, we review the current epidemiological status, public health concerns, and mitigation strategies for COVID-19.
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Hum Vaccin Immunother · Dec 2020
ReviewProspects for mucosal vaccine: shutting the door on SARS-CoV-2.
The sudden emergence of a highly transmissible and pathogenic coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 in December 2019 from China and its rapid global spread has posed an international health emergency. The rapid development of an effective vaccine is imperative to control the spread of SARS-CoV-2. ⋯ As evidenced by studies on similar coronaviruses (SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV), mucosal vaccination can provide a safe and effective means for the induction of long-lasting systemic and mucosal immunity to confer protection against SARS-CoV-2. This article summarizes the approaches to an effective mucosal vaccine formulation which can be a rewarding approach to combat the unprecedented threat posed by this emerging global pandemic.
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Hum Vaccin Immunother · Nov 2020
Meningococcal infections among refugees and immigrants: silent threats of past, present and future.
Globally, there is an increasing number of international migrants. The majority are forced displaced refugees and children unaccompanied by a caregiver, and have limited access to essential public health interventions. Routine vaccination might be interrupted or be incomplete due to conflict areas with limited public health services or a long-unplanned journey. ⋯ There is no official recommendation for meningococcal vaccination of refugees. Further strategies for prevention and treatment of human immunodeficiency virus, tuberculosis and antibiotic resistance among refugees are directly related to potential prevention methods for IMD. Meningococcal vaccines have been administered only to risk groups in most host countries Thus, further strategies for the definition of new/emerging risk factors for IMD would be helpful to guide vaccine implementation for refugees and immigrants.