Search

The article presents guidance on the vaccination of children infected with HIV in Europe. It presents recommendations on the use of serological testing for particular vaccines. It says that the only vaccine contraindicated in children with HIV in Europe is Bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG). Moreover, it offers immunization guidelines in highly effective antiretroviral therapy (HAART).

Introduction: Pregnant women are vulnerable to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) infection. Neutralizing antibodies against the SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) protein protect from severe disease. This study analyzes the antibody titers to SARS-CoV-2 S protein in pregnant women and their newborns at delivery, and six months later., Methods: We conducted a prospective study on pregnant women with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection and newborns. Antibody (IgG, IgM, and IgA) titers were determined using immunoassays in serum and milk samples. An angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor-binding inhibition assay to the S protein was performed on the same serum and milk samples., Results: At birth, antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 spike protein were detected in 81.9% of mothers' sera, 78.9% of cord blood samples, and 63.2% of milk samples. Symptomatic women had higher antibody titers (IgG, IgM, and IgA) than the asymptomatic ones (P < 0.05). At six months postpartum, IgG levels decreased drastically in children's serum (P < 0.001) but remained high in mothers' serum. Antibody titers correlated positively with its capacity to inhibit the ACE2-spike protein interaction at baseline in maternal sera (R 2  = 0.203; P < 0.001), cord sera (R 2  = 0.378; P < 0.001), and milk (R 2  = 0.564; P < 0.001), and at six months in maternal sera (R 2  = 0.600; P < 0.001)., Conclusions: High antibody levels against SARS-CoV-2 spike protein were found in most pregnant women. Due to the efficient transfer of IgG to cord blood and high IgA titers in breast milk, neonates may be passively immunized to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Our findings could guide newborn management and maternal vaccination policies., (© 2022 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

In recent years, the field of infectious diseases has been hit by the overwhelming amount of information generated while the human microbiome is being disentangled. Based on the interaction between the microbiota and the immune system, the implications regarding infectious diseases are probably major and remain a challenge., Aims: This review was conceived as a comprehensive tool to provide an overview of the available evidence regarding the influence of the microbiome on infectious diseases in children., Methods: We present the main findings aroused from microbiome research in prevention, diagnosis and treatment of infectious disease under a paediatric perspective, to inform clinicians of the potential relevance of microbiome-related knowledge for translation to clinical practice., Results and Conclusion: The evidence shown in this review highlights the numerous research gaps ahead and supports the need to move forward to integrating the so-called microbiome thinking into our routine clinical practice., (© 2020 Foundation Acta Pædiatrica. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)