Systemic and Mucosal Immunogenicity of Monovalent XBB.1.5-Adapted COVID-19 mRNA Vaccines in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

Recently updated COVID-19 mRNA vaccines encode the spike protein of the omicron subvariant XBB.1.5 and are recommended for patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) on immunosuppressive treatment.

Extracellular vesicles of the probiotic bacteria E. coli O83 activate innate immunity and prevent allergy in mice.

Background: E. coli O83 (Colinfant Newborn) is a Gram-negative (G-) probiotic bacterium used in the clinic. When administered orally, it reduces allergic sensitisation but not allergic asthma.

STAR SIGN study: Evaluation of COVID-19 vaccine efficacy against the SARS-CoV-2 variants BQ.1.1 and XBB.1.5 in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

Background: Vaccine-elicited immune responses are impaired in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) treated with anti-TNF biologics.

Aims: To assess vaccination efficacy against the novel omicron sublineages BQ.1.

Systemic and T cell-associated responses to SARS-CoV-2 immunisation in gut inflammation (STAR SIGN study): effects of biologics on vaccination efficacy of the third dose of mRNA vaccines against SARS-CoV-2.

Background: Immunosuppressed patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) experience increased risk of vaccine-preventable diseases such as COVID-19.

Aims: To assess humoral and cellular immune responses following SARS-CoV-2 booster vaccination in immunosuppressed IBD patients and healthy controls.

Methods: In this prospective, multicentre, case-control study, 139 IBD patients treated with biologics and 110 healthy controls were recruited.

Autochthonous Human Dirofilaria repens Infection in Austria.

Purpose: This report describes a rare autochthonous case of human D. repens infection in Austria. Dirofilariosis is a mosquito-borne parasitic infection that predominantly affects dogs.

Reduction of Allergic Lung Disease by Mucosal Application of -Derived Molecules: Possible Role of Carbohydrates.

Background: The hygiene hypothesis suggests a link between parasitic infections and immune disorders, such as allergic diseases. We previously showed that infection with or systemic application of tachyzoites lysate antigen (TLA) in a prophylactic, but not therapeutic protocol, prevented allergic airway inflammation in mice. Here we tested the effect of prophylactic and therapeutic application of TLA the mucosal route.

Pre- and Neonatal Imprinting on Immunological Homeostasis and Epithelial Barrier Integrity by Nissle 1917 Prevents Allergic Poly-Sensitization in Mice.

A steady rise in the number of poly-sensitized patients has increased the demand for effective prophylactic strategies against multi-sensitivities. Probiotic bacteria have been successfully used in clinics and experimental models to prevent allergic mono-sensitization. In the present study, we have investigated whether probiotic bacteria could prevent poly-sensitization by imprinting on the immune system early in life.

Increased small intestinal permeability in ulcerative colitis: rather genetic than environmental and a risk factor for extensive disease?

Background: A disturbed epithelial barrier could play a pivotal role in ulcerative colitis (UC). We performed a family-based study analyzing in vivo gastrointestinal permeability in patients with UC, their healthy relatives, spouses, and controls.

Methods: In total, 89 patients with UC in remission, 35 first-degree relatives (UC-R), 24 nonrelated spouses (UC-NR), and 99 healthy controls (HC) were studied.