Great Britain's Adam Peaty tested positive for COVID-19 on Monday, just one day after he took home the silver medal in the 100-meter breaststroke.
Peaty was considered the favorite for the race, but Italy's Nicolo Martinenghi beat him by a whole 0.02 seconds during Sunday's final. He shared the silver medal with Team USA's Nic Fink. Peaty was attempting to tie Michael Phelps's record of winning gold for the same swimming event in three consecutive Olympic Games.
Team GB announced Peaty's positive test on Monday, stating that he wasn't feeling well before Sunday's final race. He is now taking "all usual precautions" to make sure other Olympians do not catch symptoms from him.
As of now, Peaty is hoping to return when he is expected to compete in some of the relays scheduled for this weekend. It all depends on if he feels better and if he tests negative later in the week.
Peaty has won three relay Olympic medals, including the gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics for the 4x100 mixed medley relay.
The disgraced movie mogul is awaiting retrial in New York.
July 25, 2024, 7:19 PM ET
3 min read
Harvey Weinstein has been hospitalized for a "myriad of health conditions" and has also contracted COVID-19 and double pneumonia, according to his representative.
Weinstein, 72, was transferred to the Bellevue Hospital Prison Ward in Manhattan, his representative and prison consultant, Craig Rothfeld, said Thursday.
He is being "treated for the myriad of health conditions that he is still afflicted with on a daily basis such as diabetes, high blood pressure, spinal stenosis, fluid on his heart and lungs, and various other conditions," Rothfeld said.
"In addition, Mr. Weinstein tested positive for COVID and contracted double pneumonia in his lungs," Rothfeld said.
Weinstein is currently awaiting retrial in Manhattan on sex crime charges after his conviction was overturned on appeal in April. He is tentatively set to be retried in November.
Prosecutors accused the disgraced movie mogul earlier this month of raping more women than those included in his previous prosecution.
Weinstein has denied all allegations of sexual misconduct, and his attorneys have expressed skepticism about any new accusers.
He is separately fighting a rape conviction in Los Angeles, where his defense attorneys argued he lacked a fair trial. He was sentenced to 16 years in prison in that case.
ABC News' Aaron Katersky contributed to this report.
Enrolled patients
We enrolled 345 patients with COVID-19 hospitalized at Showa University Hospital between April 2020 to April 2021. SARS-CoV-2 infections were confirmed by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) with samples obtained from nasopharyngeal swabs23,24. Patients with the following criteria were excluded: (i) inability to collect pretreatment serum, (ii) unknown outcomes due to transfer to other hospitals, (iii) age<18years, and (iv) pregnancy. After application of the exclusion criteria, 95 patients were included in the analysis.
Since SpO2 is a key clinical parameter for evaluating the severity of COVID-19 and respiratory failure, we first investigated the relationship between serum cfDNA (cf-mtDNA and cf-nDNA) levels and SpO2 in enrolled COVID-19 patients upon admission. Serum was isolated from the patients blood within 6h of admission. SpO2 was negatively correlated with cf-nDNA (R: 0.256, P=0.012; Fig.1a), whereas no significant association was found between SpO2 and cf-mtDNA (R=0.123, P=0.233; Fig.1b). Given that some patients received oxygen during the SpO2 measurement, we examined the relationship between the SpO2/ fraction of inspiratory oxygen (FiO2) ratio and cfDNA25,26. SpO2/FiO2 ratios negatively correlated with both circulating cf-nDNA (R=0.423, P<0.001; Fig.1c) and cf-mtDNA (R=-0.284, P=0.005; Fig.1d).
Correlation between cfDNA and blood oxygen levels. Blood was obtained from COVID-19 patients within 6h of admission, followed by serum isolation. Total cfDNA isolated from serum was analyzed by qPCR for the quantification of cf-nDNA and -mtDNA. Scatter plots show the correlation between SpO2 and (a) cf-nDNA, and (b) cf-mtDNA; between SpO2/FiO2 ratio and (c) cf-nDNA, and (d) cf-mtDNA.
We also investigated the relationship between circulating cfDNA levels and clinically used biomarkers measured upon admission. cf-nDNA levels were positively associated with circulating neutrophil counts, d-dimer, ferritin, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), C-reactive protein (CRP), brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), and Krebs von den Lungen 6 (KL-6) levels (Supplementary Fig.1). Similarly, cf-mtDNA levels positively correlated with circulating neutrophil counts, d-dimer, LDH, CRP, and KL-6 levels (Supplementary Fig.2). However, cf-mtDNA levels did not significantly correlate with ferritin and BNP levels (Supplementary Fig.2).
Furthermore, we carried out multiple regression analyses to determine the clinical indicators independently associated with cf-nDNA and cf-mtDNA levels. Among the blood markers that were significantly correlated with cf-nDNA levels (Supplementary Fig.1), only neutrophil count remained independently associated (Supplementary Table 1). Similarly, only d-dimer levels were independently associated with cf-mtDNA levels (Supplementary Table 2).
Given the negative correlation between cfDNA and SpO2 upon admission, we examined the levels of circulating cfDNA based on the severity of COVID-19. The enrolled patients were categorized as moderate, severe, and critical based on the severity scoring system and classification from previous reports (Table 1)27,28,29. Moderate cases included patients with pneumonia who did not require OT; severe cases included those who required OT; and critical cases were individuals admitted to the intensive care unit requiring MV with or without extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). Figure2 illustrates the study flow diagram, and Table 1 presents the characteristics of the study participants. Among the 95 patients, 41 (43.2%) received various types of OT, including oxygen supplementation via a nasal cannula, mask, or MV, during hospitalization, whereas 54 (56.8%; moderate group) did not receive any OT (Fig.2 and Table 1). Among those who received OT, 24 (25.3%; severe group) received OT without MV and 17 (17.9%; critical group) required MV. Within the critical group, ECMO was used in four patients (4.2%), and three patients (3.2%) died during hospitalization. The duration from admission to death for the three deceased patients was 29, 35, and 81days. Significant differences were observed among the three groups in terms of age (P<0.001), sex (P=0.048), smoking status (P=0.006), and frequency of comorbidities with COPD (P=0.018) and diabetes mellitus (DM) (P=0.005). The median age of the moderate group was significantly lower than that of the severe and critical groups (P=0.002 and P=0.003, respectively). The moderate group tended to have more females and never smokers, whereas the critical group showed a higher frequency of comorbidities with COPD and DM.
CONSORT diagram showing enrollment of COVID-19 patients, allocation, and outcomes.
We first compared serum cfDNA levels between COVID-19 patient groups. Notably, significant differences were observed among the three groups for both types of cfDNA (cf-nDNA, P=0.016; cf-mtDNA, P=0.012; Fig.3a and b). Critical COVID-19 cases (630.6 [440.51,463.8] copies/L) had higher cf-nDNA levels than moderate cases (349.4 [224.2618.7] copies/L) (P=0.004, Fig.3a). No significant differences in cf-nDNA levels were observed between moderate and severe cases (351.4 [282.4922.0] copies/L) as well as that between severe and critical cases (P=0.389 and P=0.088, respectively; Fig.3a). Similarly, the levels of cf-mtDNA in critical cases (1,073.4 [639.52,572.5] copies/L) were higher than those in moderate cases (543.5 [298.91,035.2] copies/L) (P<0.001, Fig.3b). No significant differences were observed in cf-mtDNA levels between moderate and severe cases (632.9 [298.91,805.9] copies/L) or between severe and critical cases (P=0.360 and P=0.070, respectively; Fig.3b). The cfDNA levels of critical cases (N=17) were further compared between the high positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) group (PEEP12 cmH2O) (N=9) and the low PEEP group (PEEP<12 cmH2O) (N=8). Three patients receiving ECMO were included in the high PEEP group. The results for cf-nDNAwere 1138.7 [469.71,463.9]copies/L in the high PEEP group and 561.7 [491.72,085.3]copies/L in the low PEEP group, with no significant difference between the two groups (P=0.958; Supplementary Fig.3a). For cf-mtDNA, the high PEEP group was1,228.6 [519.14,357.5] copies/L,while the low PEEP group was1,073.4 [1009.91405.5] copies/L. There was no significant difference in cf-mtDNA levels between the two groups (P=0.985; Supplementary Fig.3b).
Serum levels of cf-nDNA and cf-mtDNA in COVID-19 patients. cf-nDNA (a) and cf-mtDNA (b) were measured in COVID-19 patients, including those with moderate (N=54), severe (N=24), and critical disease (N=17). Data are presented as medians with boxes indicating upper and lower quartiles, whiskers indicating extremes, and with P values calculated by Wilcoxon Rank-Sum Test.
To investigate whether receiving OT accounted for the increase in circulating cfDNA in COVID-19 patients, all 95 patients were grouped into two categories; those who underwent OT and those who did not (non-OT) (Supplementary Table 3). The OT group was characterized by older age (P<0.001) and comprised a higher proportion of males (P=0.043) than the non-OT group. Significant differences in smoking status were also observed (P<0.001). There were 38 (70.4%) never smokers in the non-OT group and 15 (36.6%) in the OT group. Body mass index (BMI) was also generally higher in the OT group than in the non-OT group, although the difference was not statistically significant (P=0.058). Additionally, the OT group had more comorbidities, such as interstitial pneumonia and DM than the non-OT group (P=0.019 and P=0.001, respectively). The levels of cf-nDNA were significantly higher in the OT group as compared to the non-OT group (549.9 [289.01158.2] copies/L versus 349.4 [224.2618.7] copies/L) (P=0.026; Fig.4a). In the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis, the area under the curve (AUC) of cf-nDNA for OT was 0.634 (P=0.005; Fig.4c), and an optimal cutoff value of 843.5 copies/L distinguished those in the OT group from those in the non-OT group with a sensitivity of 36.6% and specificity of 90.7%. Patients with a cf-nDNA level843.5 copies/L had increased odds of receiving OT (odds ratio [OR] 5.65, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.8417.29, P=0.001). cf-mtDNA levels were significantly higher in the OT group than in the non-OT group (953.4 [429.31,873.4] copies/L versus 543.5 [298.91,035.2] copies/L) (P=0.021; Fig.4b). The AUC of cf-mtDNA for OT was 0.639 (P=0.029; Fig.4d), and a cutoff value of 945.2 copies/L distinguished those with OT from those without OT with a sensitivity of 53.7% and specificity of 74.1%. Patients with a cf-mtDNA level945.2 copies/L had increased odds of receiving OT (OR 3.31, 95% CI 1.397.85, P=0.006).
Elevated cf-nDNA and cf-mtDNA levels in COVID-19 patients subject to OT. cf-nDNA (a) and cf-mtDNA (b) were measured in COVID-19 patients including those with OT (N=41) and non-OT (N=54). Data are presented as medians with boxes indicating upper and lower quartiles, whiskers indicating extremes, and with P values calculated by Wilcoxon Rank-Sum Test. (c) ROC curves for cf-nDNA to predict OT. The AUC was 0.634 for OT with a cf-nDNA level of 843.5 copies/L. (d) ROC curves for cf-mtDNA to predict OT. The AUC was 0.639 for OT with a cf-mtDNA level of 945.2 copies/L.
Given that established clinical blood biomarkers such as LDH, d-dimer, and ferritin have been associated with disease severity in COVID-19 patients30,31,32,33,34, we tested whether these biomarkers, along with cfDNA, could predict the risk of receiving OT. For every 100 copies increase in cf-nDNA level, patients had increased odds of receiving OT after adjusting for age and sex (OR 1.11, 95% CI 1.001.24, P=0.033) (Table 2). Other markers, including neutrophil count, d-dimer, ferritin, LDH, and CRP levels were also significantly associated with OT after adjustment (Table 2). Notably, LDH was the most strongly associated with increased odds of receiving OT among the markers tested (OR 4.32, 95% CI 2.049.12, P<0.001) (Table 2). Although univariate analyses showed that both KL-6 and cf-mtDNA were associated with OT, these associations were no longer significant in the multivariable analysis after adjustment (Table 2).
To investigate whether receiving MV contributed to an increase in circulating cfDNA levels in COVID-19 patients, we categorized all 95 subjects into two groups: patients who received MV and those who did not (non-MV) (Supplementary Table 4). The MV group was characterized by older age (P=0.020) and a higher proportion of males (P=0.022) than the non-MV group. Significant differences in smoking status were evident between the MV and non-MV groups (P=0.044), with never smokers constituting 47 (60.2%) of the non-MV group and 6 (35.3%) in the MV group. Moreover, patients in the MV group had more comorbidities such as hypertension and COPD than those in the non-MV group (P=0.027 and P=0.005, respectively). The levels of cf-nDNA were significantly higher in patients who received MV than in the non-MV group (630.6 [440.51,463.8] copies/L versus 351.4 [230.4646.5] copies/L) (P=0.006; Fig.5a). In ROC analysis, the AUC of cf-nDNA for MV was 0.712 (P=0.002; Fig.5c), and an optimal cutoff value of 389.4 copies/L distinguished those with MV from those without MV with a sensitivity of 82.4% and specificity of 59%. Patients with a cf-nDNA level389.4 copies/L had increased odds of receiving MV (OR 6.36, 95% CI 1.6724.14, P=0.002). The levels of cf-mtDNA were significantly higher in patients with MV than in the non-MV group (1,073.4 [639.52,572.5] copies/L versus 560.8 [330.31,078.4] copies/L) (P=0.004; Fig.5b). The AUC of cf-mtDNA for MV was 0.720 (P=0.005, Fig.5d), and a cutoff value of 945.2 copies/L distinguished those with MV from those without MV with a sensitivity of 70.6% and specificity of 69.2%. Patients with a cf-mtDNA level945.2 copies/L had increased odds of receiving MV (OR 6.87, 95% CI 2.0123.4, P<0.001).
Elevated cf-nDNA and cf-mtDNA levels in COVID-19 patients subject to MV. cf-nDNA (a) and cf-mtDNA (b) were measured in COVID-19 patients including those with MV (N=17) and non-MV (N=78). Data are presented as medians with boxes indicating upper and lower quartiles, whiskers indicating extremes, and with P values calculated by Wilcoxon Rank-Sum Test. (c) ROC curves for cf-nDNA to predict MV. The AUC was 0.712 for MV with a cf-nDNA level of 389.4 copies/L. (d) ROC curves for cf-mtDNA to predict MV. The AUC was 0.720 for MV with a cf-mtDNA level of 945.2 copies/L.
We also assessed the association between cfDNA levels and clinically established measures with MV. For every 100 copies increase in cf-nDNA level, patients displayed increased odds of receiving MV after adjusting for age and sex (OR 1.14, 95% CI 1.031.27, P=0.008). Similarly, for every 100 copies increase in cf-mtDNA level, patients had increased odds of receiving MV after adjustment (OR 1.06, 95% CI 1.011.12, P=0.008) (Table 3). Similar to the observed prediction for OT, neutrophil count, d-dimer, ferritin, LDH, CRP, and KL-6 levels were significantly associated with MV after adjustment. Notably, among the tested markers, LDH had the highest predictive value (OR, 2.38) for MV (Table 3).
FRESNO, Calif. According to new data from the California Surveillance of Wastewater Systems Network, the detection of COVID-19 in San Joaquin Valley wastewater has risen substantially and is now categorized as 'high.' The network tracks COVID-19 levels in wastewater across the state.
Dr. Trinidad Solis, Deputy Health Officer for the Fresno County Department of Health, spoke with KVPR's Elizabeth Arakelian about the recent rise in COVID-19 detection.
Dr. Solis says while there has not been a significant increase in COVID-19 hospitalizations in Fresno County, all Central Valley residents should be doing more to take precautions against the virus.
Listen to the interview with the player on this page.
A new project aiming to accelerate the development and accessibility of human avian influenza (H5N1) messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccine candidates for manufacturers in low- and middle-income countries has been launched today. The Argentinian manufacturer Sinergium Biotech will lead this effort leveraging the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Medicines Patent Pool (MPP) mRNA Technology Transfer Programme.
The mRNA Technology Transfer Programme, jointly developed by WHO and MPP, was launched in July 2021 with the aim to build capacity in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) for the development and production of mRNA-based vaccines. Sinergium Biotech, a partner in the mRNA Technology Transfer Programme, has developed candidate H5N1 vaccines and aims to establish proof-of-concept in preclinical models. Once the preclinical data package is concluded, the technology, materials, and expertise will be shared with other manufacturing partners, aiding the acceleration of the development of H5N1 vaccine candidates, and bolstering pandemic preparedness efforts.
"This initiative exemplifies why WHO established the mRNA Technology Transfer Programme to foster greater research, development and production in low- and middle-income countries, so that when the next pandemic arrives, the world will be better prepared to mount a more effective and more equitable response," said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General.
"When we created the mRNA Technology Transfer Programme with WHO, our goal was to enable low- and middle-income countries to lead development efforts, foster collaboration, share resources, and disseminate knowledge, said Charles Gore, Executive Director of MPP. This project embodies our vision and demonstrates a strong commitment to future pandemic preparedness and response."
Avian influenza viruses are a significant public health risk due to their widespread circulation in animals and potential to cause a future pandemic. This development supplements ongoing work under the Pandemic Influenza Preparedness Framework to improve and strengthen the sharing of influenza viruses with human pandemic potential and increasing LMIC access to vaccines.
This announcement underscores the importance of not only geographically diversifying the innovation and production of health technologies including and recognizing the capacities in Latin American and the Caribbean, but also the importance of early planning for access and the sharing of knowledge and technologies during the research and development processes," said Dr Jarbas Barbosa, Director of the Pan American Health Organization.
Dr Alejandro Gil, Chief Executive Officer of Sinergium, said, "Sinergiums enhanced capacity and readiness to apply our expertise to H5N1 will play a vital role in this effort towards global pandemic preparedness. I would also like to thank PAHO who have also been instrumental through the strong support it offers to regional manufacturers in the Americas. We are excited to tackle this public health challenge and our R&D team will continue to work closely with the Programme Partners."
Fair Access
Delivery of first medical aid since Covid raises hopes that country could open up again to UN and aid agencies
Sun 28 Jul 2024 06.00 EDT
More than 4 million vaccine doses have been flown to Pyongyang, raising hopes that North Korea could open up again to UN agencies and NGOs amid reports of a worsening health situation in the authoritarian state.
The return of essential vaccines marks a significant milestone towards safeguarding childrens health and survival in this country, Roland Kupka, Unicefs acting representative for the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea, said in a statement.
The vaccines include those against hepatitis B, polio, measles and tetanus, and were provided by Unicef, the World Health Organization and the vaccine alliance Gavi. Organisers say they are intended for 600,000 children and pregnant women who have missed out on vaccines since the Covid-19 pandemic. They are to be administered as part of a catch-up campaign in September by North Koreas public health ministry.
It follows numerous calls from the US and human rights groups for North Korea, considered one of the poorest countries in the world, to reopen its borders so vital aid can be delivered.
Almost all international aid workers had to leave during the Covid pandemic as the country shut its borders and tightened import controls. This diminished medicine and vaccine supplies as well as food imports, increasing malnutrition and leaving many including newborns vulnerable to deadly diseases such as tuberculosis and measles.
Prior to the pandemic, almost half of the population was undernourished and since then several floods and typhoons have hit the country, further jeopardising public health.
Earlier this month, the head of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, Qu Dongyu, visited North Korea in a bid to reactivate the agencys relationship with the country and address food insecurity.
The reopening of the border and the return of Unicefs full team to DPR Korea will be critical to ensuring more essential support can be provided in 2024 and programmes can be scaled up as necessary to meet the needs of children and women, said Kupka. In 2019, Unicef had about 13 international staff in the country.
Ive got a feeling theyre going to open again to UN agencies and NGOs, said Nagi Shafik, who previously consulted for the UN on public health in North Korea, a country he described as fussy about their security.
Shafik said the North Korean government may have used the hiatus to consider how it would like to work with aid providers. It no longer wants to be regarded as a recipient of aid, Shafik said, but as more of a development partner.
They hate to be reliant on other people, he said, adding that they were open to ideas and wanted to be engaged on issues including health. North Korea was voted on to WHOs executive board last year. They are more open than people expect, Shafik said.
In the meantime, Kupka urged the North Korean government to facilitate the earliest possible return of humanitarian agency workers.
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Press Release
Contacts: Tanya Espinosa (301) 851-4092 Suzanne Bond (301) 851-4070
WASHINGTON, July 29, 2024 The U.S. Department of Agricultures Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) today announced it will continue field assessment of the oral rabies vaccine (ORV) bait ONRAB in eight states as part of its larger-scale rabies management effort. This years field assessment will evaluate ONRABs distribution methods andeffectiveness in raccoons, skunks, and other wildlife.
Rabies is a serious public health concern. While rabies is almost always fatal once symptoms appear, it also is 100 percent preventable. Human exposures can be successfully remedied if medical attention is sought immediately following exposure. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 90 percent of reported rabies cases in the U.S. are in wildlife.
APHIS Wildlife Services (WS) leads the cooperative National Rabies Management Program that works to prevent the spread of rabies in wildlife. The program currently uses another rabies vaccine, RABORAL V-RG, to control the disease in raccoons, coyotes, and foxes. WS is also assessing the effectiveness of the ONRAB vaccine tomanage rabiesinraccoonsandskunks.
The ONRAB bait is a blister pack filled with the liquid vaccine and coated with a sweet attractant. When an animal bites into one of the baits, vaccine releases into their mouth and they develop immunity from rabies. Humans and pets cannot get rabies from contact with the bait but are asked to leave the bait undisturbed if they encounter it. If contact with bait occurs, the contact area should be immediately washed with warm water and soap. Each bait carries a toll-free number that people can call if they have additional questions concerning a bait contact.
Beginning in late July, WS and cooperators will distribute approximately 3.3 million ONRAB ORV baits by airplanes, helicopters, and vehicles in parts of Maine, New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Vermont, and West Virginia to test the immune effects in targeted wildlife. Additionally, WS will distribute >73,000 ONRAB baits by helicopters and vehicles during October in parts of southern Tennessee to continue evaluating ONRABs effectiveness using these distribution methods. WS personnel will sample raccoons and skunks approximately 6-8 weeks following bait distribution to determine vaccinationrates.
Field assessment of ONRAB during 2024 is a collaborative effort among APHIS; the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC); the vaccine manufacturer (Artemis Technologies Inc., an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of Ceva Sante Animale S.A., Guelph, Ontario, Canada); and State departments of agriculture, health, and natural resources.
Throughout the month of August, distribution of this ORV bait will span portions of:
During October, WS will distribute ONRAB baits in parts of Bradley, Hamilton, Marion, and Sequatchie counties in Tennessee.
For additional information concerning rabies or the ORV program, please visithttps://www.aphis.usda.gov/national-wildlife-programs/rabies or contact WS toll free at 1-866-4-USDA-WS(1-866-487-3297). To view a photo of the ONRAB vaccine bait, please visit:https://www.flickr.com/photos/usdagov/7780297536/in/album-72157623983143606/
APHIS protects the health of U.S. agriculture and natural resources against invasive pests and diseases, regulates genetically engineered crops, administers the Animal Welfare Act, and helps people and wildlife coexist. APHIS also certifies the health of U.S. agricultural exports and resolve phytosanitary and sanitary issues to open, expand, and maintain markets for U.S plant and animal products.
A recent study has suggested Shingrix, a relatively new vaccine given to protect older adults against shingles, may delay the onset of dementia.
This might seem like a bizarre link, but actually, research has previously shown an older version of the shingles vaccine, Zostavax, reduced the risk of dementia.
In this new study, published last week in the journal Nature Medicine, researchers from the United Kingdom found Shingrix delayed dementia onset by 17% compared with Zostavax.
So how did the researchers work this out, and how could a shingles vaccine affect dementia risk?
Shingles is a viral infection caused by the varicella-zoster virus. It causes painful rashes, and affects older people in particular.
Previously, Zostavax was used to vaccinate against shingles. It was administered as a single shot and provided good protection for about five years.
Shingrix has been developed based on a newer vaccine technology, and is thought to offer stronger and longer-lasting protection. Given in two doses, its now the preferred option for shingles vaccination in Australia and elsewhere.
In November 2023, Shingrix replaced Zostavax on the National Immunisation Program, making it available for free to those at highest risk of complications from shingles. This includes all adults aged 65 and over, First Nations people aged 50 and older, and younger adults with certain medical conditions that affect their immune systems.
Shingrix was approved by the US Food and Drugs Administration in October 2017. The researchers in the new study used the transition from Zostavax to Shingrix in the United States as an opportunity for research.
They selected 103,837 people who received Zostavax (between October 2014 and September 2017) and compared them with 103,837 people who received Shingrix (between November 2017 and October 2020).
By analysing data from electronic health records, they found people who received Shingrix had a 17% increase in diagnosis-free time during the follow-up period (up to six years after vaccination) compared with those who received Zostavax. This was equivalent to an average of 164 extra days without a dementia diagnosis.
The researchers also compared the shingles vaccines to other vaccines: influenza, and a combined vaccine for tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis. Shingrix and Zostavax performed around 1427% better in lowering the risk of a dementia diagnosis, with Shingrix associated with a greater improvement.
The benefits of Shingrix in terms of dementia risk were significant for both sexes, but more pronounced for women. This is not entirely surprising, because we know women have a higher risk of developing dementia due to interplay of biological factors. These include being more sensitive to certain genetic mutations associated with dementia and hormonal differences.
The idea that vaccination against viral infection can lower the risk of dementia has been around for more than two decades. Associations have been observed between vaccines, such as those for diphtheria, tetanus, polio and influenza, and subsequent dementia risk.
Research has shown Zostavax vaccination can reduce the risk of developing dementia by 20% compared with people who are unvaccinated.
But it may not be that the vaccines themselves protect against dementia. Rather, it may be the resulting lack of viral infection creating this effect. Research indicates bacterial infections in the gut, as well as viral infections, are associated with a higher risk of dementia.
Notably, untreated infections with herpes simplex (herpes) virus closely related to the varicella-zoster virus that causes shingles can significantly increase the risk of developing dementia. Research has also shown shingles increases the risk of a later dementia diagnosis.
The mechanism is not entirely clear. But there are two potential pathways which may help us understand why infections could increase the risk of dementia.
First, certain molecules are produced when a baby is developing in the womb to help with the bodys development. These molecules have the potential to cause inflammation and accelerate ageing, so the production of these molecules is silenced around birth. However, viral infections such as shingles can reactivate the production of these molecules in adult life which could hypothetically lead to dementia.
Second, in Alzheimers disease, a specific protein called Amyloid- go rogue and kill brain cells. Certain proteins produced by viruses such as COVID and bad gut bacteria have the potential to support Amyloid- in its toxic form. In laboratory conditions, these proteins have been shown to accelerate the onset of dementia.
With an ageing population, the burden of dementia is only likely to become greater in the years to come. Theres a lot more we have to learn about the causes of the disease and what we can potentially do to prevent and treat it.
This new study has some limitations. For example, time without a diagnosis doesnt necessarily mean time without disease. Some people may have underlying disease with delayed diagnosis.
This research indicates Shingrix could have a silent benefit, but its too early to suggest we can use antiviral vaccines to prevent dementia.
Overall, we need more research exploring in greater detail how infections are linked with dementia. This will help us understand the root causes of dementia and design potential therapies.
The Brainy Insights
The market for zoster vaccines has increased due to the rising incidence of chickenpox in North America. Key players evolving in the zoster vaccine market are Merck & Co., Inc., Changchun BCHT Biotechnology Co, Vaccitech, Pfizer Inc, Jiangsu Recbio Technology Co., Ltd, GSK plc, SK chemicals, Geneone Life Science, CanSinoBIO, and Curevo Inc.
Newark, July 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Brainy Insights estimates that the USD 4.2 billionzoster vaccine market will reach USD 9.1 billion by 2033. The zoster vaccine market is driven by people's increasing understanding of how important vaccination is to preventing shingles. The global ageing population also fuels the market's expansion because shingles are more common in elderly persons. As an example, seroprevalence research conducted on Indian volunteers revealed that by the time they were 40 years old, over 90% of the participants carried this virus, making them susceptible to shingles. For individuals over 50, the Shingrix vaccination has been authorised to prevent both shingles and post-herpetic neuralgia. In addition, new and more potent vaccines and technological developments in vaccinations are anticipated to spur market expansion. Based on these indications, the market for zoster vaccines is expected to rise steadily over the next several years.
Request market scope and parent market analysis sample PDF: https://www.thebrainyinsights.com/enquiry/sample-request/14423
Key Insight of the Global Zoster Vaccine Market
North America will account for the largest market size during the forecast period.
The region's market is mostly driven by large players in North America, advantageous reimbursement practices, and high vaccination rates. In the United States, about 35% of eligible individuals have received vaccinations, whereas in Canada, over 20% do so. Additionally, public awareness and the region's recommendation for immunisation against the disease drive the market's growth over the projection period. Because of Shingrix's superior efficacy over Zostavax, the United States and Canada advise using it to prevent shingles in the elderly population.
The shingrix segment dominated the market, with a revenue of USD 1.76 billion.
The shingrix segment dominated the market, with the most significant revenue of USD 1.76 billion. The segment's growth can be ascribed to rising illness awareness and the approval of shingrix vaccines in different areas. For example, in May 2019, the National Medical Products Administration in China licensed shingrix as a shingles preventive.
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The recombinant vaccine segment dominated the market, with the most significant revenue of USD 2.43 billion.
The recombinant vaccine segment dominated the market, with the most significant revenue of USD 2.43 billion. The widespread use of shingrix throughout North America and Europe and the recombinant vaccine's great effectiveness in protecting adults against diseases drive the segment's growth.
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Market Dynamics:
Drivers: Increasing cases of herpes zoster worldwide
The ageing population compromised immune systems, and rising rates of chronic illnesses like HIV and cancer will all contribute to the global rise in the prevalence of herpes zoster disease, which will fuel the zoster vaccine market's expansion. Because more individuals are becoming aware of how important immunisation is to preventing shingles, there will likely be a rise in demand for zoster vaccine in the upcoming years.
Restraint: Limited vaccine uptake
In certain places, immunisation rates remain quite low despite strong recommendations. Misinformation, vaccination hesitancy, and adverse effect concerns impede market expansion.
Some of the major players operating in the zoster vaccine market are:
Merck & Co., Inc. Changchun BCHT Biotechnology Co Vaccitech Pfizer Inc Jiangsu Recbio Technology Co., Ltd GSK plc SK chemicals Geneone Life Science CanSinoBIO Curevo Inc
Key Segments cover in the market:
By Product:
SKYZoster Zostavax Shingrix
By Vaccine Type:
Live Attenuated Vaccine Recombinant Vaccine
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About the report:
The global zoster vaccine market is analyzed based on value (USD billion). All the segments have been analyzed on a worldwide, regional, and country basis. The study includes the analysis of more than 30 countries for each part. The report offers an in-depth analysis of driving factors, opportunities, restraints, and challenges for gaining critical insight into the market. The study includes Porter's five forces model, attractiveness analysis, raw material analysis, supply, and demand analysis, competitor position grid analysis, distribution, and marketing channels analysis.
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