Adult vaccination in three Eastern Mediterranean countries: current status, challenges and the way forward.

Introduction: Changing population demographics places a premium on optimizing older adult health. Vaccine-preventable diseases represent a substantial clinical and economic burden in older adults (≥65 years).

Areas Covered: This narrative review summarizes the adult immunization landscape in three countries; Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Türkiye, informed by literature searches; PubMed (23-27 September 2023) supplemented by citation tracking via Google Scholar).

4CMenB Vaccination to Prevent Meningococcal B Disease in Vietnam: Expert Review and Opinion.

An advisory board meeting was held with experts in Vietnam (Hanoi, August 2022), to review the evidence on invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) epidemiology, clinical management, and meningococcal vaccines to reach a consensus on recommendations for meningococcal vaccination in Vietnam. IMD is a severe disease, with the highest burden in infants and children. IMD presents as meningitis and/or meningococcemia and can progress extremely rapidly.

A role for immune modulation in achieving functional cure for chronic hepatitis B among current changes in the landscape of new treatments.

Introduction: Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) is rarely cured using available treatments. Barriers to cure are: 1) persistence of reservoirs of hepatitis B virus (HBV) replication and antigen production (HBV DNA); 2) high burden of viral antigens that promote T cell exhaustion with T cell dysfunction; 3) CHB-induced impairment of immune responses.

Areas Covered: We discuss options for new therapies that could address one or more of the barriers to functional cure, with particular emphasis on the potential role of immunotherapy.

Herpes Zoster Burden of Disease and Clinical Management in Turkey: A Comprehensive Literature Review.

Introduction: Herpes zoster (HZ), or shingles, is caused by the reactivation of varicella zoster virus (VZV) and typically presents as an acute, painful dermatomal rash, but can lead to long-term, distressing complications such as postherpetic neuralgia (PHN). Increasing trends in HZ cases are evident globally among the aging population; however, reviews investigating the epidemiology and clinical management of HZ in Turkey are lacking. Therefore, a literature review of local studies in Turkey was conducted to identify the data available and identify gaps in the literature.

Meningococcal B Immunisation in Adults and Potential Broader Immunisation Strategies: A Narrative Review.

Recombinant vaccines against invasive meningococcal disease due to Neisseria meningitidis serogroup B (MenB) have shown substantial impact in reducing MenB disease in targeted populations. 4CMenB targets four key N. meningitidis protein antigens; human factor H binding protein (fHbp), Neisserial heparin binding antigen (NHBA), Neisseria adhesin A (NadA) and the porin A protein (PorA P1.

Meningococcal disease within the Gulf Cooperation Council Countries.

This review reports on the recent epidemiology of invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) within the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Countries (focusing from 2012 onwards), the existing immunization strategies and the potential for IMD resurgence. MenACWY vaccination is now established in infant or adolescent immunization programs in Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates. At present, GCC Countries do not include MenB immunization.

Epidemiology of Varicella Zoster Virus and Herpes Zoster Virus in Gulf Cooperation Council Countries: A Review of the Literature.

Introduction: The reactivation of varicella zoster virus (VZV) in previously infected individuals can cause herpes zoster (HZ), which is characterized by a localized, painful dermatomal rash. While there is a global trend of increasing HZ cases, there is a lack of research examining the epidemiology of HZ within the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. Therefore, we aimed to critically appraise evidence on VZV and HZ epidemiology in the GCC countries and identify gaps in the current literature.

Hepatitis A in the Eastern Mediterranean Region: a comprehensive review.

Introduction: With 583 million inhabitants, the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) is a worldwide hub for travel, migration, and food trade. However, there is a scarcity of data on the epidemiology of the hepatitis A virus (HAV).

Methods: The MEDLINE and grey literature were systematically searched for HAV epidemiological data relevant to the EMR region published between 1980 and 2020 in English, French, or Arabic.

Meningococcal Disease and Immunization Activities in Hajj and Umrah Pilgrimage: a review.

Invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) outbreaks associated with Hajj and Umrah pilgrimage events in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) are well recognized. Past outbreaks have been associated with substantial intercontinental spread of specific Neisseria meningitidis serogroups. The emergence of meningococcal serogroup W (MenW) was a global concern following the 2000/2001 Hajj outbreaks.

A study on the adaptation of the HIV/AIDS-related Stigma Scale into Turkish.

Purpose: This study aims to test the validity and reliability of the Turkish version of the HIV/AIDS-related Stigma Scale.

Design And Methods: The study has a methodological design. The sample included a total of 428 participants.

Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on routine immunization.

The current COVID-19 global pandemic continues to impact healthcare services beyond those directly related to the management of SARS-CoV-2 transmission and disease. We reviewed the published literature to assess the pandemic impact on existing global immunization activities and how the impact may be addressed. Widespread global disruption in routine childhood immunization has impacted a majority of regions and countries, especially in the initial pandemic phases.

Seroprevalence and incidence of hepatitis A in Southeast Asia: A systematic review.

Background: A previous review on hepatitis A virus (HAV) seroprevalence in 2005 categorized Southeast Asia as a low HAV endemicity region. In 2010, the World Health Organization modified this from low to low/medium endemicity, pointing out that these estimates were based on limited evidence. Since then, there has been no attempt to review HAV epidemiology from this region.

The Epidemiology of Invasive Meningococcal Disease in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: A Narrative Review with Updated Analysis.

Reducing invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) through MenACWY immunization is a critical healthcare strategy in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). Robust IMD surveillance is essential to help assess the need for additional immunization initiatives in target populations. This is particularly important in KSA, where mass gatherings accompanying Hajj/Umrah pilgrimages have been associated with IMD outbreaks within the local KSA population, and subsequent intercontinental spread via returning pilgrims.

Rotavirus vaccines performance: dynamic interdependence of host, pathogen and environment.

Introduction: As of January 2021, rotavirus vaccination programs have been implemented in 109 countries and their use has resulted in a positive impact on rotavirus-related diarrheal hospitalizations and mortality in children below 5 years of age. Despite these successes, several countries in Africa and Asia where disease burden is high have not yet implemented rotavirus vaccination at all or at a scale sufficient enough to demonstrate impact. This could be, among other reasons, due to poor vaccine coverage and the modest levels of efficacy and effectiveness of the vaccines in these resource-limited settings.

A review of the experience of childhood hepatitis A vaccination in Saudi Arabia and Turkey: implications for hepatitis A control and prevention in the Middle East and North African region.

In most countries of the Middle East and Northern African (MENA) region, a high hepatitis A virus (HAV) endemicity has been documented. Few others, such as Saudi Arabia and Turkey, are transitioning from high to intermediate endemicity. There is a paucity of recently published HAV disease burden that could be useful to inform or strengthen relevant national hepatitis A vaccination policy and other prevention strategies in the region.

Long-Term Persistence of Antibody Response with Two Doses of Inactivated Hepatitis A Vaccine in Children.

Introduction: Hepatitis A virus infection is more severe in adults than children. Although vaccination can protect adults, current childhood programs cover a large population more successfully. Childhood vaccination is, therefore, a solution to protecting adults if it induces lasting immunity.

Vaccinating pregnant women against influenza needs to be a priority for all countries: An expert commentary.

Background: In 2012, the World Health Organization recommended influenza vaccination for all pregnant women worldwide and the prioritisation of pregnant women in national influenza vaccination programmes. Nevertheless, vaccination rates in pregnant women often remain much lower than national targets.

Objectives: To assess the benefits and risks associated with influenza infection and vaccination during pregnancy, and to consider obstacles that work against influenza vaccine uptake during pregnancy.

Cryptogenic liver cirrhosis and hepatitis E virus (HEV): Are they related?

Introduction And Objectives: Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is one of the most common causes of acute hepatitis. In recent years, its role in the development of chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis especially in immunosuppressed patients and its wide range of extrahepatic involvement have increased the amount of research on HEV. In this study we aimed to investigate the presence of HEV infection in individuals with cryptogenic cirrhosis.

Systematic review of the rotavirus infection burden in the WHO-EMRO region.

Rotavirus gastroenteritis imposes a heavy burden on low- and middle-income countries. The World Health Organization defines the Eastern Mediterranean region (WHO-EMRO) as a diverse area in terms of socioeconomic status and health indicators. Rotavirus vaccination has been introduced, at least partially, in 19 out of the 22 EM countries; however, vaccine coverage remains low, and data on rotavirus disease burden is scarce.

Application of an immunoglobulin Y-alkaline phosphatase bioconjugate as a diagnostic tool for influenza A virus.

The diagnosis of influenza A virus is essential since it can be confused with influenza A like illness and lead to inaccurate drug prescription. In this study, the M2e peptide, a strategic antigen that is conserved in all virus subtypes, was used as a diagnostic marker of influenza A. For the first time, M2e-specific IgY antibody was covalently conjugated to alkaline phosphatase (ALP) enzyme in the presence of glutaraldehyde.

Production and characterization of a conserved M2e peptide-based specific IgY antibody: evaluation of the diagnostic potential via conjugation with latex nanoparticles.

Antibodies play an important role in combating and controlling viral diseases such as influenza. Immunoglobulin Y (IgY) antibodies have several advantages such as a less invasive manufacturing process, ease of isolation, higher affinity compared with IgG antibodies, and cost-effectiveness. To date, although specific IgY production has been performed for different strains of influenza A, to the best of our knowledge, an IgY against the M2e peptide has not been produced.