Is COVID-19 Still a Threat? An Expert Opinion Review on the Continued Healthcare Burden in Immunocompromised Individuals.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has had a profound global impact. The emergence of several variants during the pandemic has presented numerous challenges in preventing and managing this disease. The development of vaccines has played a pivotal role in controlling the pandemic, with a significant portion of the global population being vaccinated.

Corrigendum to 'Impact of COVID-19 on immunocompromised populations during the Omicron era: insights from the observational population-based INFORM study' [The Lancet Regional Health - Europe 35 (2023) 100747].

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1016/j.lanepe.

Overcoming Barriers to Remission in Severe Eosinophilic Asthma: Two-Year Real-World Data With Benralizumab.

Background: Benralizumab has been reported to lead to clinical remission of severe eosinophilic asthma (SEA) at 1 year in some patients. However, whether this is maintained over a longer term remains unclear. Additionally, the impact of pulmonary and extrapulmonary comorbidities on the ability to meet remission is poorly understood.

Implementation of AZD7442 (Tixagevimab/Cilgavimab) COVID-19 Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) in the Largest Health Maintenance Organization in Israel: Real-world Uptake and Sociodemographic and Clinical Characteristics Across Immunocompromised Patient Groups.

Introduction: AZD7442 is a combination of two neutralizing antibodies (tixagevimab/cilgavimab) with demonstrated efficacy in reducing the risk of symptomatic coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) among individuals at high risk of severe COVID-19 ≤ 6 months after administration. On February 15, 2022, the Israeli Ministry of Health (IMoH) authorized the administration of 300 mg AZD7442 as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection among immunocompromised individuals aged ≥ 12 years. This study describes the real-world uptake of AZD7442 in Israel.

Impact of COVID-19 on immunocompromised populations during the Omicron era: insights from the observational population-based INFORM study.

Background: Immunocompromised individuals are not optimally protected by COVID-19 vaccines and potentially require additional preventive interventions to mitigate the risk of severe COVID-19. We aimed to characterise and describe the risk of severe COVID-19 across immunocompromised groups as the pandemic began to transition to an endemic phase.

Methods: COVID-19-related hospitalisations, intensive care unit (ICU) admissions, and deaths (01/01/2022-31/12/2022) were compared among different groups of immunocompromised individuals the general population, using a retrospective cohort design and electronic health data from a random 25% sample of the English population aged ≥12 years (Registration number: ISRCTN53375662).

Benralizumab Effectiveness in Severe Asthma Is Independent of Previous Biologic Use.

Background: Benralizumab is an IL-5 receptor alpha-directed cytolytic mAb that depletes eosinophils, reducing exacerbations and oral corticosteroid (OCS) use, and improves asthma control for patients with severe eosinophilic asthma (SEA). Data on response in patients previously treated with other biologic therapies are limited.

Objective: To describe real-world clinical outcomes with benralizumab for patients with and without prior biologic use for uncontrolled SEA.

The Healthcare Professionals' Perspective on Impact and Actions Taken Following Severe Infusion Reaction Events in Oncology Centers in Europe.

Purpose: The study aim was to describe the management strategies used for severe infusion-related reactions (SIRs) and understand the impact of such events in oncology day hospitals in France, Germany, Spain, and the UK.

Methods: The study was based on qualitative telephone interviews and quantitative self-completion questionnaires and asked healthcare professionals about the impact of SIRs and consequent actions taken.

Results: The procedures to prevent and manage SIRs were similar across countries and settings.

Management of EGFR Inhibitor-induced Skin Toxicity and Factors Impacting Patients' Adherence to Skin Toxicity Treatment: Health Care Provider and Patient Surveys in European Oncology Centers.

Introduction: This study aimed to provide a description of existing measures for the prevention and management of epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitor monoclonal antibody-induced skin toxicities and factors impacting patients' adherence to those measures in France, Germany, and Spain.

Materials And Methods: The study consisted of 2 separate surveys. Health care professionals (HCPs; oncologists and nurses) in France, Germany, and Spain were interviewed, and patients with metastatic colorectal cancer and head-and-neck cancer in France and Germany self-completed questionnaires.

Measuring and correcting biased child mortality statistics in countries with generalized epidemics of HIV infection.

Objective: Under Millennium Development Goal 4, countries are required to reduce child mortality by two-thirds between 1990 and 2015. In countries with generalized epidemics of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, standard statistics based on fertility history may misrepresent progress towards this target owing to the correlation between deaths among mothers and early childhood deaths from acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

Methods: To empirically estimate this bias, child mortality data and fertility history, including births to deceased women, were collected through prospective household surveys in eastern Zimbabwe during 1998-2005.

HIV decline in Zimbabwe due to reductions in risky sex? Evidence from a comprehensive epidemiological review.

Background: Recent data from antenatal clinic (ANC) surveillance and general population surveys suggest substantial declines in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) prevalence in Zimbabwe. We assessed the contributions of rising mortality, falling HIV incidence and sexual behaviour change to the decline in HIV prevalence.

Methods: Comprehensive review and secondary analysis of national and local sources on trends in HIV prevalence, HIV incidence, mortality and sexual behaviour covering the period 1985-2007.

The impact of monitoring HIV patients prior to treatment in resource-poor settings: insights from mathematical modelling.

Background: The roll-out of antiretroviral treatment (ART) in developing countries concentrates on finding patients currently in need, but over time many HIV-infected individuals will be identified who will require treatment in the future. We investigated the potential influence of alternative patient management and ART initiation strategies on the impact of ART programmes in sub-Saharan Africa.

Methods And Findings: We developed a stochastic mathematical model representing disease progression, diagnosis, clinical monitoring, and survival in a cohort of 1,000 hypothetical HIV-infected individuals in Africa.

Estimating vertically acquired HIV infections and the impact of the prevention of mother-to-child transmission program in Zimbabwe: insights from decision analysis models.

Background: The World Health Organization recommends a single-dose nevirapine (NVP) regimen for prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) of HIV in settings without the capacity to deliver more complex regimens, but the population-level impact of this intervention has rarely been assessed.

Methods: A decision analysis model was developed, parameterized, and applied using local epidemiologic and demographic data to estimate vertical transmission of HIV and the impact of the PMTCT program in Zimbabwe up to 2005.

Results: Between 1980 and 2005, of approximately 10 million children born in Zimbabwe, a cumulative 504,000 (range: 362,000 to 665,000) were vertically infected with HIV; 59% of these infections occurred in nonurban areas.

Voluntary counselling and testing: uptake, impact on sexual behaviour, and HIV incidence in a rural Zimbabwean cohort.

Objectives: To examine the determinants of uptake of voluntary counselling and testing (VCT) services, to assess changes in sexual risk behaviour following VCT, and to compare HIV incidence amongst testers and non-testers.

Methods: Prospective population-based cohort study of adult men and women in the Manicaland province of eastern Zimbabwe. Demographic, socioeconomic, sexual behaviour and VCT utilization data were collected at baseline (1998-2000) and follow-up (3 years later).