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Journal of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
ISSN: 2692-6334
Volume 5, Issue 1, p1-68
Articles published in this issue are Open Access and licensed under Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY NC) where the readers can reuse, download, distribute the article in whole or part by mentioning proper credits to the authors.
Selective antibody deficiency syndrome, response to vaccines, diagnosis, and treatment
Selective antibody deficiency syndrome (SAD), is a primary immunodeficiency in which immunoglobulin levels remain normal, but there is a reduced response to polysaccharide antigens after vaccination. SAD is recognized by the International Union of Immunology Societies as a primary immunodeficiency of unknown genetic cause. Patients with SAD are highly susceptible to severe respiratory tract infections with encapsulated bacteria.
J Allergy Infect Dis, 2024, Volume 5, Issue 1, p1-5 | DOI: 10.46439/allergy.5.039
COVID-19 in the post-vaccination era: Who is at risk of severe disease?
Vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 began in December 2020 and with this strategy, the course of the pandemic would be modified. BNT162b2 (Pfizer–BioNTech), mRNA-1273 (Moderna), and ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 (Oxford–AstraZeneca) were the main vaccines that demonstrated a reduction in hospitalization and death from SARS-CoV-2 in clinical trials. Post-vaccination infection by COVID-19 is called breakthrough infection.
J Allergy Infect Dis, 2024, Volume 5, Issue 1, p6-8 | DOI: 10.46439/allergy.5.040
Dominated respiratory infections which exacerbate asthma in asthmatic children
Asthma is classified as an inflammatory airway disorder. The triggering factors, such as aeroallergens, air pollutants, and viral infections, promote asthma symptoms . Despite the progress made in the prevention and management of the disease, unfortunately, the number of morbidities is increasing every year.
J Allergy Infect Dis, 2024, Volume 5, Issue 1, p9-16 | DOI: 10.46439/allergy.5.041
Mitochondrial disease patients and rotavirus infection complications
Rotavirus (RV) is an agent of gastroenteritis and, to a lesser extent, neurological manifestations including seizures and epilepsy. Before the development of effective vaccines, rotavirus was among the leading global drivers of life-threatening diarrhea in neonates and children less than five years of age.
J Allergy Infect Dis, 2024, Volume 5, Issue 1, p17-28 | DOI: 10.46439/allergy.5.042
Effects of helminth co-infections on COVID-19 outcome
Helminths exert systemic immunomodulatory effects characterized by a deviation to a Th2 pattern cytokines. The potential detrimental influence of preexisting helminths infections on COVID-19 by the Th2-like cytokine response is a concern in helminths endemic areas. However, there is also the assumption that preexisting helminth infections may be beneficial by reducing the uncontrolled Th1 pro-inflammatory cytokine response and disease severity.
J Allergy Infect Dis, 2024, Volume 5, Issue 1, p29-34 | DOI: 10.46439/allergy.5.043
Chemical characterization of red imported fire ants with colony development
The red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta Buren, poses a significant threat to public health due to its venomous stings. While the chemistry of fire ants has been well investigated, most studies have focused on ants from mature colonies. The dynamic changes in chemical compositions during colony development have been less explored. In this study, we established S. invicta colonies using newly collected queens from the field and then tracked the chemistry of workers as the colonies developed. Our findings reveal that the chemistry of fire ant workers undergoes significant changes with the development of the colonies. However, the change in chemical diversity was not necessarily in the same direction for all individual glands.
J Allergy Infect Dis, 2024, Volume 5, Issue 1, p35-43 | DOI: 10.46439/allergy.5.044
Impact of vaccination and testing levels on the COVID-19 waves
The first studies of the effectiveness of SARS-CoV-2 testing appeared in 2020 immediately after the pandemic outbreak. In 2021, with the advent of a sufficient number of vaccinated people, it became possible to study the impact of vaccination levels on the COVID-19 pandemic dynamics. Constant changes in its dynamics caused by changes in quarantine conditions and algorithms for testing and vaccination, the emergence of new strains require updating and rethinking the results of previous studies.
J Allergy Infect Dis, 2024, Volume 5, Issue 1, p44-55 | DOI: 10.46439/allergy.5.045
Load-and-go molecular diagnostics for human papilloma virus detection
The present study describes analytical and clinical performance of the HPV 16 & 18 assay for the detection of HPV specific DNA with near point-of-care utility. A room temperature compatible real time PCR test was developed for detection and discrimination of HPV 16/18 in a single tube. The test was integrated and validated on Compact series automated platform for analytical performance (sensitivity, specificity, accuracy).
J Allergy Infect Dis, 2024, Volume 5, Issue 1, p56-61 | DOI: 10.46439/allergy.5.046
Applications of impulse oscillometry in the diagnosis and monitoring of preschool asthma
Impulse oscillometry is a lung function test that has become more widely used over the past 30 years. It is particularly useful in patients who have difficulty performing forced respiratory maneuvers, such as preschool children, who have shorter expiration times, less strength to inhale, less coordination and shorter attention spans than older children or adults.
J Allergy Infect Dis, 2024, Volume 5, Issue 1, p62-68 | DOI: 10.46439/allergy.5.046
Surgical smoke and SARS-CoV-2 transmission
The protection of health care workers from nosocomial infection is a paramount consideration in the current pandemic involving severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Not only is prevention of viral transmission the most effective means to lessen the public health impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), but also both quarantine and illness – that disproportionately affect health care workers – have devastating effects on the ability of hospitals to adequately care for increased patient loads.
COVID-19 and burnout of physicians redeployed to emergency care
The COVID-19 pandemic of 2020-2023 significantly affected emergency medical care. Physicians who regularly saw their patients by appointment were redeployed to emergency care, increasing their reported burnout. Understanding how the burnout of specialists increased from this redeployment during COVID-19 is relevant to finding ways to reduce redeployment burnout in these appointment-based physicians when preparing for future pandemics.
Planned procedures and covid-19 pandemic: Does recovery plan, a matter of urgency?
The COVID-19 pandemic brought many challenges to each sector of life. The most affected are the health in general and elective services in specific. The postponement of planned surgical procedures is one of the elective services that not only increased the waiting time in the short-term but will strain the healthcare services in the long-run
mTOR: A possible therapeutic target against SARS-CoV-2 infection
The recent pandemic of SARS-CoV-2 has emerged as a health emergency to develop effective therapeutic strategies for restricting deadly disease, COVID-19. SARS-CoV-2 infects cells by the endocytosis process via receptor-mediated binding and priming by cellular proteases.
Theory on the involvement of retroviruses and EBV in autoimmunity
There is a striking likeness between an old model for the action of mobile genetic elements in Maize and recent observations on endogenous retroviruses in human Multiple Sclerosis. Nexø discussed this and other developments in his recent theory on autoimmunity. Specifically, in analogy to the onc genes Nexø suggest that insertion of a retrovirus activates a so-called aut gene. This aut gene may well be an EBV genome.
Utilization of electronic health records for the assessment of adiponectin receptor autoantibodies during the progression of cardio-metabolic comorbidities
Diabetes is a complex, multi-symptomatic disease whose complications drives increases in healthcare costs as the diabetes prevalence grows rapidly world-wide. Real-world electronic health records (EHRs) coupled with patient biospecimens, biological understanding, and technologies can characterize emerging diagnostic autoimmune markers resulting from proteomic discoveries.
A unified viral theory of autoimmunity
Retroviruses and EBV have been championed by different schools of thought as inducers of autoimmunity. The present theory suggests ending this competition between schools: They are both right. The viruses synergize! Probably, they even form a hybrid genome.
COVID-19 and the Liver: Uncovering the Hidden Culprit behind Liver Injury
The effects of COVID-19 have been of increasing interest in all fields of medicine after the pandemic, especially considering the important impact and incidence of patients infected with coronavirus. Numerous studies have reported the vast clinical implications related to permanent organ and tissue damage after infection and long COVID.
Epidemiology of United States ocular injuries at home in preschool age children from 2000-2019
Injuries to the eye are a common cause of emergency department (ED) visits in the pediatric age group. There were nearly 14 million ED visits for traumatic injuries in children under age 5 in 2017 in the US, and most of these occurred at a private residence [1]. The highest number of pediatric ED visits for ocular injury were reported in children ages 1-5.
Physiotherapy in Mental Health Facing the Covid-19 Pandemic
According to the International Organization of Physical Therapy in Mental Health (IOPTMH), physiotherapy in mental health is a recognized specialty of physical therapy, with a subgroup representing physiotherapists from around the world before the World Confederation of Physical Therapy (WCPT). It is implemented in different settings, in health, psychiatry and psychosomatic medicine.
Antenatal SARS-COV-2 exposure leading to multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS-N) presenting with neonatal encephalopathy
A 22-day-old male neonate was admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) with complaints of abnormal movements, fever, breath holding spells, refusal and bluish discoloration of skin. He was born at term with a birthweight of 2·72 kg to a mother with a history of positive polymerase chain reaction for SARS-Coronavirus-2 (SARS-COV-2) virus (RT-PCR-positive), asymptomatic 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) at 32-33 weeks gestation, which did not require any supportive measures.
Commentary on “Understanding bacterial chondronecrosis with osteomyelitis (BCO) in poultry: Highlights from proteomic analyses and imaging techniques”
Bacterial chondronecrosis with osteomyelitis (BCO) is a leading cause of lameness in broiler chickens, which results in financial losses due to mortality and reduced growth. Due to the nature of the condition, it raises animal welfare and food safety concerns as well. The pathology in the commercial setting is derived from a combination of weak bone and bacterial translocation and infection.
Withstanding the COVID19 pandemic - A tertiary children’s hospital’s commitment to equitable care
Acute appendicitis is one of the most common surgical procedures performed among pediatric patients in the United States [1]. The pathophysiology of the disease begins with luminal obstruction of the appendix, leading to venous congestion, with eventual arterial inflow obstruction, and finally luminal rupture, resulting in spillage of enteric contents into the abdominal cavity.
Short comment on COVID-19 pandemic in Mongolia
Mongolia is located between Russia to the north and China to the south, where it neighbors the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. The total population in Mongolia is about 3.3 million and nearly half of the people live in the capital, Ulaanbaatar, and in other provincial centers.
Risk of aerosol transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in cardiovascular care
The ongoing global Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID19) pandemic has enormous social and economic impact. COVID19 is caused by the Coronavirus Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) and is characterized by a high transmission rate and increased mortality from acute respiratory distress syndrome compared to other viruses.
COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in nursing: Home staff and the need for ongoing education and vaccine access
Objective: To study vaccine hesitancy among health care workers who provide direct care in nursing homes and long-term care facilities which cater to the most vulnerable population of the community.
The tragic rollercoaster of Italian nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic
Nursing homes, neglected for too long by government administrations, have paid a very high tribute to the lack of protective measures and social distancing that COVID-19 has imposed. To date, it has been calculated that almost a fifth of all residents in nursing home in northern Italy have died due to COVID-19, with a mortality of Lombardy nursing homes varying between 10% and 50% of all residents. In some cases, 3-4 guests of a single home died in a single day.
Commentary: SARS-CoV-2 new variants: Characteristic features and impact on the efficacy of different vaccines
A recent article published by Abbas et al. in the Journal of Biomedicine and Pharmacotherapy systematically revealed about the vaccines developed against the recent pandemic agents SARS-CoV-2 and its variants [1]. The authors insightfully provided an overview on the distinct features of the SARS-CoV-2 new variants, the associated mortality rate, hospitalization, re-infection and finally the efficacy of different vaccines.
Chikungunya: an emerging rheumatological pandemic?
Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) has recently emerged alongside Ebolavirus, Zika virus, and SARS-CoV-2 as the causative pathogen for a global pandemic. CHIKV is a single-stranded RNA alphavirus that is transmitted by Aedes species mosquitos and has spread beyond its endemic regions in East Africa and South Asia through the Indian Ocean islands, into Southern Europe, and through the Caribbean and the wider Americas.
COVID-19 in patients with and without cancer: Examining differences in patient characteristics and outcomes
This study examines differences between patients with and without cancer in patient demographic and clinical characteristics and COVID-19 mortality and discusses the implications of these differences in relation to existing cancer disparities and COVID-19 vulnerabilities. Data was collected as a part of a retrospective study on a cohort of COVID-19 positive patients across Mount Sinai Health System from March 28, 2020 to April 26, 2020. Descriptive, comparative, and regression analyses were applied to examine differences between patients with and without cancer in demographic and clinical characteristics and COVID-19 mortality and whether cancer status predicts COVID-19 mortality controlling for these covariates using SAS 9.4. Results showed that, of 4641 patients who tested positive for COVID-19, 5.1% (N=236) had cancer.