Oligosaccharide equine feed supplement, Immulix, has minor impact on vaccine responses in mice

Several mammalian species are vaccinated in early life, but little is known about the effect of diet on vaccine response. Oligosaccharides are increasingly proposed as dietary supplement for young individuals due to their anti-inflammatory potential elicited through modulation of gut microbiota (GM). Also, diet, e.g. the size of the fat fraction, is known to modulate the GM. We tested if an oligosaccharide diet (Immulix) and/or increased dietary fat content affected antibody titers to a tetanus vaccine in 48 BALB/cJTac mice through GM modulation. Female mice had significantly higher IgG titers with higher variation compared to male mice. The effects of Immulix and/or increased fat content were minor. Immulix negatively affected IgG titers in male mice four weeks after secondary vaccination but upregulated Il1b gene expression in the spleen. Immulix had a downregulating effect on expression of Cd4 and Foxp3 in ileum only if the mice were fed the diet with increased fat. The diet with increased dietary fat increased Il1b but decreased Cd8a gene expression in the spleen. Immulix and diet affected GM composition significantly. Increased dietary fat content upregulated Lactobacillus animalis but downregulated an unclassified Prevotella spp. Immulix decreased Lactobacillales, Streptococcaceae and Prevotellaceae but increased Bacteroides. It is concluded that in spite of some minor influences on immune cell markers, cytokines and IgG titers Immulix feeding or increased dietary fat content did not have any biologically relevant effects on tetanus vaccine responses in this experiment in mice.

Regulation of Clostridium tetani Neurotoxin Expression by Culture Conditions

Background: Ensuring consistency of tetanus neurotoxin (TeNT) production by Clostridium tetani could help to ensure consistent product quality in tetanus vaccine manufacturing, ultimately contributing to reduced animal testing. The aim of this study was to identify RNA signatures related to consistent TeNT production using standard and non-standard culture conditions. Methods: We applied RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) to study C. tetani gene expression in small-scale batches under several culture conditions. Results: We identified 1381 time-dependent differentially expressed genes (DEGs) reflecting, among others, changes in growth rate and metabolism. Comparing non-standard versus standard culture conditions identified 82 condition-dependent DEGs, most of which were specific for one condition. The tetanus neurotoxin gene (tetX) was highly expressed but showed expression changes over time and between culture conditions. The tetX gene showed significant down-regulation at higher pH levels (pH 7.8), which was confirmed by the quantification data obtained with the recently validated targeted LC-MS/MS approach. Conclusions: Non-standard culture conditions lead to different gene expression responses. The tetX gene appears to be the best transcriptional biomarker for monitoring TeNT production as part of batch-to-batch consistency testing during tetanus vaccine manufacturing.

Vaccine Hesitancy and Refusal: Behavioral Evidence from Rural Northern Nigeria

It is widely believed that vaccine hesitancy is prevalent in African countries, although this belief is without rigorous evidence. Our field experiment in rural northern Nigeria behaviorally measured the prevalence of vaccine hesitancy—the non-uptake of vaccines despite their availability due to non-monetary factors directly associated with vaccination. We randomly assigned two tasks to women: answering a short survey at their house vs. additionally receiving a free tetanus vaccine by submitting a voucher. The differences in their completion rates captured vaccine hesitancy, showing the rate to be about 13%. Our study reveals that absolute refusers with negative willingness to pay (WTP) for vaccines, who are likely to have strong misperceptions or a distrust of vaccines, account for about half of vaccine hesitaters, while floating refusers with zero or weakly positive WTP, who are likely to be indifferent about vaccines, account for the other half. A simple intervention, such as a door-to-door vaccination campaign, is likely to be effective for floating refusers, while interventions for absolute refusers need to effectively change their misperceptions or distrust of vaccines.

Awareness of diabetic adult patients about immunization

Background. Diabetes mellitus (DM) is associated with an increased rate of infection, which was partly explained by a decreased T cell-mediated response, and although being controversial, impaired function of neutrophil associated with diabetes is also documented. The purpose was to determine awareness of type 2 Diabetic patients about immunization against hepatitis-B, influenza, tetanus and zona, to find out the source of current vaccine information. Materials and methods. The study was planned as a single centred, prospective, cross-sectional, descriptive and analytical trial. The questionnaire form was applied to patients diagnosed with type 2 DM, who applied to Diabetics Outpatient Clinic by face-to-face interview technique. Results. A total of 439 patients was evaluated; the diagnosis time of 38.5, 19, 24 and 18 % of the patients was determined as 0–5 years, 6–10 years, 11–15 years and more than 16 years, respectively. Organ damage was detected in 76 of the patients, and as the most common complication, retinopathy was found to be in 57 (13.01 %) patients. Among the patients, 175 (39.86 %) of them had coexisting hypertension, and 164 (37.36 %) of them had coexisting hyperlipidaemia. Whereas 153 (35.75 %) were aware of pneumococcal vaccine, the number of patients who got vaccinated was 55 (12.53 %). Whereas 336 (76.54 %) were aware of influenza vaccine, 108 (24.60 %) of them got vaccinated. Among the patients, 179 (40.77 %) heard of hepatitis B vaccine, but 34 (7.74 %) got vaccinated. It was determined that, 279 people heard od tetanus vaccine, 183 people were administered at least one dose of vaccine, however the last vaccine of 101 (55.49 %) of those who had tetanus vaccine, was more than 11 years ago. Only 3 out of 33 (7.52 %), who knew about the zona vaccine, got vaccinated. In that study, 243 (55.35 %) people got vaccinated in adulthood for any reason. There was no significant relationship between education level and duration of disease and vaccination. Conclusions. Adult immunization rates of diabetic patients were found to be in low levels. The primary care professionals play an essential role in the immunization of diabetic patients.

Vaccination of Pregnant Women: Protecting Babies Even Before Birth!

Vaccines protect humans against microorganisms that cause disease. Usually, vaccines are given to infants, toddlers, or older children at regular intervals. For example, you probably know about the tetanus vaccine, which is given to you when you are hurt, or beforehand, to protect you from disease in case you get hurt. Maternal immunization means vaccination of a woman during pregnancy. This can protect the pregnant woman and her unborn child from disease, and can also protect the new-born baby. The protection is provided by antibodies, which are substances made in the mothers’ body after vaccination, and are transported through the placenta and the breastmilk to the baby. Some vaccines are advised to be taken during pregnancy and, in the future, some vaccines might even be specifically designed to be used during pregnancy. This article will explain how vaccination during pregnancy works.