Immunology

A new randomized clinical trial shows that pitavastatin or other statins may help reduce major cardiovascular events in those living with HIV. These benefits are not just due to LDL cholesterol reduction. HIV significantly increases atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease incidence in those living with HIV. Studies suggest that those living with HIV have twice the risk...

The 2023 updated report by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force found that oral tenofovir alafenamide-emtricitabine or injectable cabotegravir were slightly superior to older tenofovir disoproxil fumarate-emtricitabine pre-exposure prophylaxis for HIV prevention. In 2019, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) report confirmed that oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) using tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) alone or...

Allergic reactions that occur in susceptible individuals after consuming some oral care products necessitate manufacturers to include detailed ingredient lists on product labels to ensure patient safety. Globally, food allergies are becoming increasingly common and more severe, affecting about 5% of adults and 8% of children. The most severe allergic reactions are mediated by immunoglobulin...

Before immunosuppressive therapy, an increased relapse risk in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder was associated with onset age in women, whereas after treatment, predicted relapse risk had a U-shaped correlation with onset age in women in a single-center retrospective review.  Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) is an autoimmune condition that involves damage to the central nervous...

Chronic spontaneous urticaria patients who are non-responsive to antihistamines have greater healthcare resource utilization and comorbidities at both baseline and follow-up assessment, which requires prompt management to control the disease more effectively, according to a newretrospective cohort study. Chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) is a skin disorder associated with angioedema and wheals that persist for more...

Isolated chronic inducible urticaria and chronic inducible urticaria with chronic spontaneous urticaria have different endotypes, with the latter having a more severe and refractory prognosis, according to the findings of a retrospective study. Chronic inducible urticaria (CIndU) is a clinical subtype of chronic urticaria that may occur as an isolated condition or with concomitant chronic...

A new study found that Blacks and Hispanics were more likely to have food allergies than Whites. Additionally, emergency department visits due to severe food allergies were more prevalent among people from lower socioeconomic status. Food allergies affect about 8% of children and 11% of U.S. adults in the United States. Food allergies cause significant...

Vaccine effectiveness wanes after one dose but remains relatively unchanged over four years after two doses Two doses of recombinant zoster vaccine (RZV) are effective against herpes zoster (HZ), with the vaccine effectiveness (VE) of two doses waning little over four years of follow-up, according to a study published online Jan. 9 in the Annals of...

Second study shows that 42.2 and 18.3 percent of individuals aged 18 years and older reported receiving flu, updated COVID-19 shots Many nursing home residents and adults have not been vaccinated for influenza, COVID-19, or respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) for the 2023 to 2024 season, according to research published in the Dec. 22 issue of...