IgG4ward’s Post

You’re invited to join IgG4ward! and Dr. Camille Kotton, an infectious disease specialist at the Massachusetts General Hospital, for our next Fireside Chat on Thursday, August 22, at 9 a.m. EST. You can register for the webinar here: https://shorturl.at/0j2xo Dr. Kotton, Director of the Transplant and Immunocompromised Hosts section of the Infectious Disease Division, evaluates inpatients and outpatients in multiple immunocompromised settings, including autoimmune disease and organ transplantation. Dr. Kotton will provide time-sensitive updates and emerging information on COVID-19, influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and other timely vaccines regarding IgG4-RD. - COVID - Vaccines - B cell depletion - Steroids - Travel - Going to restaurants or out in public while on treatment - Mask-wearing We will try our best to answer your questions, but please note we may not have time to address them all. If you’re unable to attend the live webinar, a recording will be available to watch at a later date. #igg4rd #igg4relateddisease #infectiousdisease #autoimmunedisease

FDA-cleared tests for Lyme disease use a venous blood sample to assess immune response to infection, specifically, the presence of antibodies against the bacteria. The tests are quite accurate, but they are frequently misinterpreted or misunderstood. Antibodies can persist for YEARS after infection. It does not mean you have been infected for years. Unfortunately, this has led people to believe they are chronically infected, when in reality, it is simply an indication you encountered the bacteria at some point. However, this opens the door for long-term and potentially harmful treatments for Lyme which are not recommended and can be dangerous. It also has created a lucrative market of commercial Lyme tests - many of which can be purchased over the counter - that are not accurate and report false results. They routinely use samples like urine or finger prick samples - which have no data to suggest they can be used for diagnosis. It causes people to believe that they have Lyme - and that Lyme is more widespread than it actually is. Please be wary: the Lyme pseudoscience space is vast and lucrative and has been insidious for over 30 years. For more, see our website: ALDF.com #lyme #lymedisease #immunology #publichealth

Today is World Hepatitis Day – July 28 marks the birthday of Dr. Blumberg, the discoverer of the hepatitis B virus. Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver caused by type A, B, C, D, or E hepatitis viruses. Liver disease can lead to a number of health problems, some of which can be fatal. HBV and HCV are particularly threatening, leading to chronic diseases in hundreds of millions of people. Together they are the most common cause of liver cirrhosis, liver cancer, and deaths associated with viral hepatitis worldwide. According to estimates by the World Health Organization (WHO), 304 million people worldwide live with a hepatitis B or C infection. Vaccines are available in Europe to protect against hepatitis A and B. The Paul-Ehrlich-Institut, the Federal Institute for Vaccines and Biomedicines, performs a variety of tasks connected to the development and provision of safe blood products and safe, effective vaccines to protect against hepatitis infections. Check out which vaccines are available against hepatitis A: https://lnkd.in/enkijjkJ and against hepatitis B: https://lnkd.in/eST7462K #worldhepatitisday #hepatitis

Check out the Correspondence published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases Plasma-based antigen peristence in the post-acute phase of COVID-19. SARS-CoV-2 in some form or location, persists for up to 14 months following acute SARS-CoV-2 infection. Limitations: Measurement based on immunoreactivity, and it cannot be assumed that every signal is specific for SARS-CoV-2 antigen. https://lnkd.in/g39VUZcz #sarscov2 #covid19 #antigen #infectiousdisease #immunology #covid #health #plasma #pandemic #covid19pandemic #publication #research #hypothesis

🌍 World Hepatitis Day 2024 (July 28): Raising Awareness and Encouraging Action 🩺 World Hepatitis Day, we join the global community in raising awareness about #viral #hepatitis, a major public #health challenge that affects millions of people worldwide. At the Archives of Infectious Diseases & Therapy, we are committed to supporting #research and #education to combat this silent epidemic. Hepatitis can lead to severe #liver #disease and liver #cancer, but with early detection, #vaccination, and effective #treatments, it is possible to prevent and manage the disease. Let's take this opportunity to educate ourselves and others about the importance of liver health and the steps we can take to protect it. 🔍 Explore our latest research #articles and #reviews on hepatitis: https://bit.ly/3Vf7fY1 📚 Stay informed and share #knowledge to help reduce the global burden of #hepatitis. Together, we can make a difference. #WorldHepatitisDay #HepatitisAwareness #PublicHealth #InfectiousDiseases #LiverHealth #ArchivesOfInfectiousDiseasesAndTherapy

SARS-CoV-2-specific CD8+ T cells from people with long COVID establish and maintain effector phenotype and key TCR signatures over 2 years Do #LongCovid patients develop robust immunity against SARS-CoV-2? Yes! https://lnkd.in/dzZdMfjZ 1/6 When we get infected or are exposed to anything that is not part of us, we make an immune response. In LC patients this is not different, but reports show an enhanced activity status, with more antibodies and more active T cells. Some claim LC patients become immunodeficient. 2/6 This work shows good pathogen-specific B and T cells in LC patients, over 24 months, against SARS-CoV-2 as well as influenza. They are also functional and are boosted by vaccination. Many are longterm memory T cells, Tcm, or central memory T cells. 3/6 Of course, upon infection, the Tcm population reduces, since they give rise to new effector T cells. The T cell repertoire (how many different things all T cells together can recognise), remained very broad and stable also in LC patients. 4/6 The data shows that controls and LC subjects develop a good immune response against SC2, they maintain memory B and T cells, as well as immune cells against other pathogens. All immune cells are responsive, etc. 5/6 i.e. SARS-CoV-2 infection is not detrimental to your immune system, your immune system functions well, also against other pathogens. Your B and T cells are not depleted, exhausted, non-functional, or whatever dark fantasies people have made up. Now stop those nonsense claims 6/6

Today, on World Hepatitis Day, we stand united in the fight against hepatitis, a silent but significant global health challenge. Hepatitis affects millions worldwide, and many are unaware of their status. Early detection and prevention are crucial steps in combating this disease. Why It Matters: Hepatitis B and C can lead to chronic liver disease, liver cancer, and death. Hepatitis A and B are preventable with vaccines. Early detection through testing can save lives and reduce the spread. How You Can Make a Difference: Get Tested: Knowing your status is the first step towards better health. Get Vaccinated: Vaccines are available for Hepatitis A and B. Raise Awareness: Share this post and educate others about hepatitis. At Skills Alliance we are committed to promoting health and wellness. Let’s work together to eliminate hepatitis and ensure a healthier future for everyone. #WorldHepatitisDay #HepatitisAwareness #FightHepatitis #KnowHepatitis Find out more about Hepatitis from the World Health Organisation: https://lnkd.in/eCbjrsVH

New Data to be Presented at IDWeek 2024 Reinforce Merck’s Broad and Diverse Vaccines and Infectious Disease Pipeline and Portfolio RAHWAY, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)---- $MRK #MRK--New Data to be Presented at IDWeek 2024 Reinforce Merck’s Broad and Diverse Vaccines and Infectious Disease Pipeline and Portfolio via Business Wire Health: Medical Devices News

TWiV 1158: Clinical update with Dr. Daniel Griffin 🩺 In his weekly clinical update, Dr. Griffin informs us about mpox circulation and new vaccine approval, the Marburg virus outbreak in Rwanda, and the largest outbreak of whooping cough in a decade before reviewing the recent statistics on SARS-CoV-2 infection, the WastewaterSCAN Dashboard, immunity among those over 65th following the 3rd dose of the COVID-19 mRNA vaccine, where to find PEMGARDA, a reminder of how and when to use steroids to treat COVID-19, how well the SARS-CoV-2 rapid antigen test performed, what do when healthcare workers succumb to SARS-CoV-2 infection, the effect of remdesivir on survival and readmission of hospitalized patients, if cognitive impairment following virus infection impairs one’s driving, and how long COVID affects Chinese society. 📺 https://bit.ly/3NxOM3W