Influenza Virus Vaccines Commons^™

Interim Estimates Of 2025-26 Seasonal Influenza Vaccine Effectiveness - United States, September 2025-February 2026., Patrick Maloney, Emily L. Reeves, Kristina Wielgosz, Ashley M. Price, Karthik Natarajan, Malini B. Desilva, Kristin Dascomb, Nicola P. Klein, Sara Y. Tartof, Stephanie A. Irving, Shaun J. Grannis, Toan C. Ong, Zachary A. Weber, Jennifer E. Schuster, Danielle M. Zerr, Marian G. Michaels, Julie A. Boom, Natasha B. Halasa, Mary A. Staat, Geoffrey A. Weinberg, Stacey L. House, Elie A. Saade, Krissy Moehling Geffel, Manjusha Gaglani, Karen J. Wernli, Vel Murugan, Emily T. Martin, Natalie A B Bontrager, Marie K. Kirby, Amanda B. Payne, Fatimah S. Dawood, Ayzsa Tannis, Heidi L. Moline, Sifang Kathy Zhao, Katherine Adams, Jennifer Decuir, Samantha M. Olson, Jessie R. Chung, Nathaniel Lewis, Brendan Flannery, Carrie Reed, Shikha Garg, Sascha Ellington, Cdc Influenza Vaccine Effectiveness Collaborators

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

In the United States, annual influenza vaccination has been recommended for all persons aged ≥6 months, including during the 2025-26 season. Interim influenza vaccine effectiveness (VE) estimates were calculated for patients with acute respiratory illness-associated outpatient visits and hospitalizations from three U.S. respiratory virus VE networks during the 2025-26 influenza season, using a test-negative case-control design. Among children and adolescents aged < 18 years, VE was 38%-41% against influenza outpatient visits and 41% against influenza-associated hospitalization. Among adults aged ≥18 years, VE was 22%-34% against influenza outpatient visits and 30% against influenza-associated hospitalization. Among children and adolescents, VE against influenza A ranged from 37% (against outpatient visits) to 42% (against hospitalization) across settings; among adults, VE against influenza A ranged from 30% (against hospitalization) to 34% (against outpatient visits) across settings. Among children and adolescents, VE against influenza A(H3N2)-associated outpatient visits was 35% and against influenza A(H3N2)-associated hospitalization was 38%. VE against influenza B outpatient visits ranged from 45%-71% among children and adolescents and was 63% among adults. Other estimates of VE were not statistically significant or were not reportable. Although interim influenza VE is lower during the 2025-26 influenza season than it was during recent influenza seasons, these findings demonstrate that influenza vaccination still provides protection against influenza. CDC recommends influenza vaccination; U.S. influenza vaccines remain available for persons aged ≥6 months.

Hu308, A Selective Cannabinoid Type-2 Receptor Agonist, Mitigates Sars-Cov-2 Spike Protein-Induced Acute Lung Injury In Mice, Janette Lockett, Gregory Nicholson, Nicholas Richards, Ryan Washington, Nagaraja Nagre

Department of Biomedical and Translational Sciences Faculty Publications

Introduction

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), continues to pose major health challenges despite effective vaccination efforts. The sustained occurrence of breakthrough infections and emerging variants of the virus highlights the need for additional therapeutic strategies. Given the anti-inflammatory role of the cannabinoid type 2 receptor (CB2R), we examined the effect of CB2R activation in SARS-CoV-2 spike protein subunit 1 (S1SP)-induced acute lung injury (ALI).

Methods

ALI was induced in mice by intratracheal (i.t.) administration of S1SP, followed by treatment with the CB2R agonist HU308 (5 mg/kg, intraperitoneal: i.p.) 1 h …

Understanding Dental Hygienists’ Knowledge, Attitudes, And Practices Regarding Hpv Vaccination, Paula M Cuccaro, Jihye Choi, Kawtar Zouaidi, Efrat K Gabay, Michael Mackert, Josefine Ortiz Wolfe

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

The American Dental Association and American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry encourage oral health professionals to strongly recommend human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination to prevent HPV-associated oropharyngeal cancer. This study examined oral health professionals' knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding HPV vaccination. We used purposive sampling to recruit participants through state and national oral health societies and social media platforms. Flyers outlining eligibility criteria were distributed, and eligible participants completed an online survey. Primary measures included participants' HPV-related knowledge, attitudes, and practices, and willingness to receive HPV-related training and recommend HPV vaccination to patients, including parents of adolescents. Only responses from dental hygienists …

Earth Care Trusted Messengers Vaccine Access Project, Camille Velarde, Theresa H. Cruz

Reports & Documents

The Earth Care Trusted Messengers Vaccine Access Project was a two-month intervention implemented in Santa Fe, New Mexico in spring 2025 to address persistent barriers to COVID-19 and routine vaccine access among Spanish-speaking communities. Using a peer-to-peer “Trusted Messenger” model, respected community members received training in vaccine knowledge, communication strategies, and community organizing before hosting small house meetings to share accurate information, address concerns, and build trust.

A mixed-methods evaluation included pre/post/follow-up surveys, weekly house meeting questionnaires, and a final focus group. Quantitative results demonstrated substantial increases in participants’ confidence across all domains, including vaccine knowledge, communication skills, and ability …

Earth Care Trusted Messengers: Vaccine Access Project, Camille Velarde, Theresa H. Cruz

Reports & Documents

Spanish-speaking communities in New Mexico continue to face persistent barriers to vaccine access, confidence, and culturally relevant health information. The Earth Care Trusted Messengers Vaccine Access Project was implemented in Santa Fe to address these inequities using a peer-to-peer, community-rooted model. Trusted Messengers, respected community members, participated in a full-day training covering vaccine science, misinformation, communication strategies, and resource navigation, and subsequently facilitated small “house meetings” to engage peers in open conversations about vaccines. A mixed-methods evaluation assessed changes in confidence, knowledge, and community connectedness using pre-/post-/follow-up surveys, weekly implementation logs, and a final focus group. Quantitative findings showed large …

Citrullinated Eno1 Vaccine Enhances Pd-1 Blockade In Mice Implanted With Murine Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cells, Ricardo A León-Letelier, Alejandro M Sevillano-Mantas, Yihui Chen, Soyoung Park, Jody Vykoukal, Johannes F Fahrmann, Edwin J Ostrin, Candace Garrett, Rongzhang Dou, Yining Cai, Fu-Chung Hsiao, Jennifer B Dennison, Eduardo Vilar, Banu K Arun, Samir Hanash, Hiroyuki Katayama

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background/Objectives:Cancer vaccine targets mostly include mutations and overexpressed proteins. However, cancer-associated post-translational modifications (PTMs) may also induce immune responses. Previously, our group established the enzyme protein arginine deiminase type-2 (PADI2), which catalyzes citrullination modification, is highly expressed in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), promoting antigenicity.

Methods: Here, we show the workflow of designing citrullinated enolase 1 (citENO1) vaccine peptides identified from breast cancer cells by mass spectrometry and demonstrate TNBC vaccine efficacy in the mouse model. Immunized mice with citENO1 peptides or the corresponding unmodified peptides, plus Poly I:C as an adjuvant, were orthotopically implanted with a TNBC murine …

Epidemiology Of Shigella Species And Serotypes In Children: A Retrospective Substudy Of The Mal-Ed Observational Birth Cohort Study, Elizabeth T. Rogawski Mcquade, Jie Liu, Mustafa Mahfuz, Alexandre Havt, Furqan Kabir, Adil Kalam, Fatima Aziz, Sahrish Muneer, Najeeha Talat Iqbal, Zulfiqar Ahmed Bhutta

Department of Paediatrics and Child Health

Background: Shigellosis is a leading cause of diarrhoea in children globally. We aimed to assess the burden of specific Shigella species and Shigella flexneri serotypes, characterise their clinical syndromes and natural immunity, and evaluate their relevance as causes of diarrhoea and linear growth faltering.
Methods: In the MAL-ED birth cohort study, children younger than 17 days were enrolled from Nov 3, 2009, to Feb 29, 2012, in Bangladesh, Brazil, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Peru, Tanzania, and South Africa and were followed up for 2 years. In this retrospective substudy, we retested Shigella quantitative PCR-positive diarrhoeal and non-diarrhoeal stool samples with molecular …

Understanding Vaccine Hesitancy And Barriers To Access In Hispanic Individuals Of Metro Detroit​, Rafael Ramos, John Gallegher, Nevil Khurana, Ingrid Rocha, Rene Andino-Galva, Izabel Thomas, Deni Peterson, Alexander Eskandarian, Eliezer Arody Gomez, Md

Medical Student Research Symposium

Background:

Detroit’s Hispanic community is still disproportionally uninsured at about 2x the rate of non-Hispanic white and 3x the rate of non-Hispanic Black residents. In the post-COVID era, vaccine hesitancy and barriers to access have been well-documented. Studies suggest that minority populations, including the Hispanic population, may experience unique social determinants of health which affect their vaccination rates and outcomes. Additionally, research shows that knowledge of vaccines may correlate with levels of trust.

Methods:

We sought to describe the knowledge, barriers to access, and levels of trust regarding the influenza (flu) vaccine in Hispanic individuals of Metro Detroit. We used …

Clinical And Fundamental Research Progressions On Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocytes Therapy In Cancer, Jiandong Hu, Mengli Jin, Weihong Feng, Barbara Nassif-Rausseo, Alexandre Reuben, Chunhua Ma, Gregory Lizee, Fenge Li

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Malignant tumors represent a significant threat to human health. Among the various therapeutic strategies available, cancer immunotherapy-encompassing adoptive cell transfer (ACT) and immune checkpoint blockade therapy-has emerged as a particularly promising approach following surgical resection, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and molecular targeted therapies. This form of treatment elicits substantial antigen-specific immune responses, enhances or restores anti-tumor immunity, thereby facilitating the control and destruction of tumor cells, and yielding durable responses across a range of cancers, which can lead to the eradication of tumor lesions and the prevention of recurrence. Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), a subset of ACT, are characterized by their heterogeneity and …

The Importance Of Public Health In College Populations: Why Vaccines Are Important, Kashish Poore

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

This paper examines the importance of vaccines in college populations, where high-density living environments create unique vulnerabilities to infectious disease outbreaks. Despite vaccine mandates at most institutions, research indicates that many college students possess incomplete understanding of vaccine mechanisms and importance. The paper addresses three interconnected aspects: the biological foundations of vaccine-induced immunity, the significance of vaccination in collegiate settings, and the current state of vaccine literacy among students. Historical outbreaks on campuses, including meningitis at Princeton and mumps across several institutions, highlight the consequences of undervaccination. Social media misinformation has contributed significantly to vaccine hesitancy, particularly since COVID-19. The …

Interim Estimates Of 2024-2025 Seasonal Influenza Vaccine Effectiveness - Four Vaccine Effectiveness Networks, United States, October 2024-February 2025., Aaron M. Frutos, Seana Cleary, Emily L. Reeves, Haris M. Ahmad, Ashley M. Price, Wesley H. Self, Yuwei Zhu, Basmah Safdar, Ithan D. Peltan, Kevin W. Gibbs, Matthew C. Exline, Adam S. Lauring, Sarah W. Ball, Malini Desilva, Sara Y. Tartof, Kristin Dascomb, Stephanie A. Irving, Nicola P. Klein, Brian E. Dixon, Toan C. Ong, Ivana A. Vaughn, Stacey L. House, Kiran A. Faryar, Mary Patricia Nowalk, Manjusha Gaglani, Karen J. Wernli, Vel Murugan, Olivia L. Williams, Rangaraj Selvarangan, Geoffrey A. Weinberg, Mary A. Staat, Natasha B. Halasa, Leila C. Sahni, Marian G. Michaels, Janet A. Englund, Marie K. Kirby, Diya Surie, Fatimah S. Dawood, Benjamin R. Clopper, Heidi L Moline, Ruth Link-Gelles, Amanda B. Payne, Elizabeth Harker, Kristina Wielgosz, Zachary A. Weber, Duck-Hye Yang, Nathaniel M. Lewis, Jennifer Decuir, Samantha M. Olson, Jessie R. Chung, Brendan Flannery, Lisa A. Grohskopf, Carrie Reed, Shikha Garg, Sascha Ellington, Cdc Influenza Vaccine Effectiveness Collaborators

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

Annual influenza vaccination is recommended for all persons aged ≥6 months in the United States. Interim influenza vaccine effectiveness (VE) was calculated among patients with acute respiratory illness-associated outpatient visits and hospitalizations from four VE networks during the 2024-25 influenza season (October 2024-February 2025). Among children and adolescents agedyears, VE against any influenza was 32%, 59%, and 60% in the outpatient setting in three networks, and against influenza-associated hospitalization was 63% and 78% in two networks. Among adults aged ≥18 years, VE in the outpatient setting was 36% and 54% in two networks and was 41% and 55% against hospitalization …

Immunogenicity And Reactogenicity Of High- Or Standard-Dose Influenza Vaccine In A Second Consecutive Influenza Season., Hannah Bahakel, Andrew J. Spieker, Haya Hayek, Jennifer E. Schuster, Lubna Hamdan, Daniel E. Dulek, Carrie L. Kitko, Tess Stopczynski, Einas Batarseh, Zaid Haddadin, Laura S. Stewart, Anna Stahl, Molly Potter, Herdi Rahman, Justin Amarin, Spyros A. Kalams, Claire E. Bocchini, Elizabeth A. Moulton, Susan E. Coffin, Monica I. Ardura, Rachel L. Wattier, Gabriela Maron, Michael Grimley, Grant Paulsen, Christopher J. Harrison, Jason Freedman, Paul A. Carpenter, Janet A. Englund, Flor M. Munoz, Lara Danziger-Isakov, Natasha Halasa, Pediatric Hct Flu Study

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

BACKGROUND: Pediatric hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) recipients are at high risk for morbidity from influenza virus infection. We demonstrated in a primary phase 2 randomized controlled trial that 2 post-HCT doses of high-dose trivalent influenza vaccine (HD-TIV) given 4 weeks apart were more immunogenic than 2 doses of standard-dose quadrivalent influenza vaccine (SD-QIV). Herein, we present the immunogenicity and safety of influenza vaccination in a consecutive season post-HCT using the same dosing regimen.

METHODS: A subcohort of study participants reenrolled and had hemagglutinin inhibition titers measured at baseline and 4 weeks after each vaccine dose in year 2. We estimated …

Covid-19 Vaccine Hesitancy Among Black Women In The Us, Brittany C Slatton, Farrah G Cambrice, Serwaa S Omowale

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

IMPORTANCE: COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among Black women is a critical public health concern, potentially exacerbating existing health disparities and impacting community-wide vaccination efforts.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the factors associated with COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among Black women in the US and identify the specific concerns and experiences shaping hesitant attitudes toward vaccination.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Qualitative study using in-depth, semistructured interviews conducted virtually between June and November 2021. Thematic analysis was used to identify key themes from the interview data. Participants were recruited through social media platforms and word-of-mouth referrals from various regions of the US. Interviews were conducted remotely …

Protective Effects Of Psychiatric Medications Against Covid-19 Mortality Before Vaccines, Rodrigo Machado-Vieira, Trudy M Krause, Gregory Jones, Antonio L Teixeira, Lokesh R Shahani, Scott D Lane, Jair C Soares, Chau N Truong

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

The coronavirus disease pandemic caused by the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, which emerged in the United States in late 2019 to early 2020 and quickly escalated into a national public health crisis. Research has identified psychiatric conditions as possible risk factors associated with COVID-19 infection and symptom severity. This study aims to determine whether specific classes of psychiatric medications could reduce the likelihood of infection and alleviate the severity of the disease. The objective of this study is to investigate the relationship between neuropsychiatric medication usage and COVID-19 outcomes before the widespread utilization of COVID-19 vaccines. This cross-sectional study used Optum's de-identified …

Constructing A Conversation-First Dialogue Model For Comprehensive, Evidence-Based Counseling For Hpv Vaccination For Young Adults, Lu Tang, Chenying Weng, Serena Hou, Lara S Savas, Ana C Neumann, Nicole Moore, Jane Hamilton, Daniel Rhee, Cui Tao, Licong Cui, Muhammad Tuan Amith

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine has been shown to prevent several types of cancers; however, vaccination rates remain suboptimal. Effective patient-provider communication is key to promoting vaccination but is often hindered by various clinical barriers. Speech bots could be a promising solution by addressing common barriers and facilitating HPV vaccination uptake. We used a "conversation first" design approach to develop the interaction for speech bots to deliver HPV vaccination counseling to young adults. Two counseling strategies were developed and piloted: motivational interviewing (MI) and the theory-based approaches. Wizard of Oz experiments were conducted with young female adults (n = 24). …

Politics In Public Health: Growing Partisan Divides In Covid-19 Vaccine Attitudes And Uptake Post-2021 Presidential Inauguration, Hongbin Fan, Zhongliang Zhou, Guanping Liu, Chi Shen, Qi Zhang

Epidemiology, Biostatistics, & Environmental Health Faculty Publications

Objectives: To investigate whether the 2021 U.S. presidential inauguration contributed to a widening of partisan divides in COVID-19 vaccine attitudes and uptake. Methods: We leverage the presidential inauguration as a natural experiment and analyze data from the Household Pulse Survey and CDC vaccination records. Using a difference-in-differences framework with continuous treatment, we examine how the transition differentially affected state-level vaccine refusal rates and county-level vaccination rates, based on varying levels of partisanship as measured by the Trump-Biden vote gap. Results: Following Biden's inauguration, vaccine refusal declined more in pro-Biden states. Distrust in government and vaccines accounted for approximately 80% of …

Development And Evaluation Of An Implementation Strategy To Increase Hpv Vaccination Among Underserved Youth Across Texas: A Protocol Paper, Paula M Cuccaro, Jihye Choi, Lara S Savas, Efrat K Gabay, Mayra Aguilar Mcbride, Amy Montelongo Eldridge, Timothy J Walker

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

BACKGROUND: All for Them is a theory-based and evidence-informed multilevel, multicomponent program delivered through schools to increase HPV vaccination among medically underserved youth across Texas. Given the potential logistical challenges of program implementation, understanding how to best support the implementation and sustainment of the program is critical. The overall goals of this study are twofold: 1) develop a multifaceted implementation strategy, Implementing All for Them (IM-AFT); and 2) evaluate the impact of IM-AFT on implementation outcomes for schools and healthcare providers to successfully implement All for Them in their respective settings.

METHODS: This study is underpinned by a comprehensive and …

Influenza Knowledge And Barriers To Vaccination In Immunosuppressed Patients In The Pediatric Rheumatology Clinic., Julia G. Harris, Leslie Favier, Jordan T. Jones, Maria Ibarra, Michael J. Holland, Emily Fox, Kelly Jensen, Ashley K. Sherman, Ashley M. Cooper

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

BACKGROUND: Most patients with a pediatric rheumatic disease are at increased risk of influenza due to immunosuppressive medication use. Despite initial quality improvement efforts, our influenza vaccination rate plateaued at 72%, which prompted a survey of patients and families to assess provider vaccine recommendations, influenza knowledge, and barriers to influenza vaccination.

METHODS: Patients on immunosuppressive medication or their parent were eligible to complete a survey between July 2019 and January 2020. Survey questions assessed demographics, rheumatology diagnosis, immunosuppressive medication(s), influenza vaccination recommendation, patient/parent influenza knowledge, and barriers to influenza vaccination. Influenza vaccination rates for immunosuppressed patients were acquired each influenza …

Effect Of School Hpv Vaccination Requirements On Pediatricians' Recommendations, Ashley Hedrick Mckenzie, Lara S Savas, Ross Shegog, Dale S Mantey, Erica L Frost, Paul Gerardo Yeh, C Mary Healy, Stanley Spinner, L Aubree Shay, Sharice M Preston, Sally W Vernon

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background/objectives: Pediatrician recommendations are highly influential in parents’ decisions to vaccinate their children against HPV. Unqualified, presumptive, and bundled recommendations (UPBRs) are associated with increased HPV vaccine uptake and are considered best practice. This study analyzes pediatricians’ self-reported data to assess changes in UPBR use and the psychosocial determinants of UPBR use as a result of the implementation of a multi-level intervention, the Adolescent Vaccination Program (AVP).

Methods: We surveyed pediatricians across 51 clinics in the Houston area. Baseline surveys (n = 137) were distributed in 2015, and follow-ups (n = 120) in 2019.

Results: Pediatrician UPBR use …

Estimated Vaccine Effectiveness For Pediatric Patients With Severe Influenza, 2015-2020., Kelsey M. Sumner, Leila C. Sahni, Julie A. Boom, Natasha B. Halasa, Laura S. Stewart, Janet A. Englund, Eileen J. Klein, Mary A. Staat, Elizabeth P. Schlaudecker, Rangaraj Selvarangan, Christopher J. Harrison, Geoffrey A. Weinberg, Peter G. Szilagyi, Monica N. Singer, Parvin H. Azimi, Benjamin R. Clopper, Heidi L. Moline, Emma K. Noble, John V. Williams, Marian G. Michaels, Samantha M. Olson, New Vaccine Surveillance Network Collaborators

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

IMPORTANCE: Increasing the understanding of vaccine effectiveness (VE) against levels of severe influenza in children could help increase uptake of influenza vaccination and strengthen vaccine policies globally.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate VE in children by severity of influenza illness.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: This case-control study with a test-negative design used data from 8 participating medical centers located in geographically different US states in the New Vaccine Surveillance Network from November 6, 2015, through April 8, 2020. Participants included children 6 months through 17 years of age who were hospitalized or presented to an emergency department (ED) with acute respiratory illness. …

Hpv Vaccine-Related Articles Shared On Facebook From 2019 To 2021: Did Covid Make A Difference?, L Aubree Shay, Ashley Mckenzie, Elaine Avshman, Lara S Savas, Ross Shegog

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

OBJECTIVE: HPV vaccination is recommended for children beginning at age 9 to prevent several types of cancer. Many parents turn to Facebook for health information. This study describes changes in HPV vaccine-related articles shared on Facebook amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

METHODS: HPV-related articles shared on Facebook (2019-2021) were collected using Buzzsumo, a social media analytics tool and analyzed using content analysis. Articles were categorized by valence, misinformation, evidence types, persuasive tactics, and framing. We quantified these data and tested for difference by article year.

RESULTS: Of the 138 included articles, 51% had positive valence towards the vaccine and 36% had …

What Is The Economic Benefit Of Annual Covid-19 Vaccination From The Adult Individual Perspective?, Sarah M Bartsch, Kelly J O'Shea, Colleen Weatherwax, Ulrich Strych, Kavya Velmurugan, Danielle C John, Maria Elena Bottazzi, Mustafa Hussein, Marie F Martinez, Kevin L Chin, Allan Ciciriello, Jessie Heneghan, Alexis Dibbs, Sheryl A Scannell, Peter J Hotez, Bruce Y Lee

Center for Medical Ethics and Health Policy Staff Publications

Background: With coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination no longer mandated by many businesses/organizations, it is now up to individuals to decide whether to get any new boosters/updated vaccines going forward.

Methods: We developed a Markov model representing the potential clinical/economic outcomes from an individual perspective in the United States of getting versus not getting an annual COVID-19 vaccine.

Results: For an 18-49 year old, getting vaccinated at its current price ($60) can save the individual on average $30-$603 if the individual is uninsured and $4-$437 if the individual has private insurance, as long as the starting vaccine efficacy against severe …

In Silico Analysis Of The Rop29 Protein As A Vaccine Candidate Against Toxoplasma Gondii, Amir Karimipour-Saryazdi, Fatemeh Ghaffarifar, Abdolhossein Dalimi, Masoud Foroutan, John Horton, Javid Sadraei

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

The progression of Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) invasion is aided by rhoptry proteins (ROPs), which are also crucial for the parasite's survival in host cells. In this study, in silico analysis was performed to examine the various aspects of the ROP29 protein, such as physicochemical properties, potential T- and B-cell epitopes, and other significant features. The research revealed that there were 55 possible sites for posttranslational modification in the ROP29 protein. The secondary structure of the ROP29 protein consists of a random coil, an alpha-helix, and an extended strand, which account for 49.69%, 36.81%, and 13.50%, respectively. Moreover, …

Multi-Antigen Intranasal Vaccine Protects Against Challenge With Sarbecoviruses And Prevents Transmission In Hamsters, Ankita Leekha, Arash Saeedi, K M Samiur Rahman Sefat, Monish Kumar, Melisa Martinez-Paniagua, Adrian Damian, Rohan Kulkarni, Kate Reichel, Ali Rezvan, Shalaleh Masoumi, Xinli Liu, Laurence J N Cooper, Manu Sebastian, Courtney M Sands, Vallabh E Das, Nimesh B Patel, Brett Hurst, Navin Varadarajan

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Immunization programs against SARS-CoV-2 with commercial intramuscular vaccines prevent disease but are less efficient in preventing infections. Mucosal vaccines can provide improved protection against transmission, ideally for different variants of concern (VOCs) and related sarbecoviruses. Here, we report a multi-antigen, intranasal vaccine, NanoSTING-SN (NanoSTING-Spike-Nucleocapsid), eliminates virus replication in both the lungs and the nostrils upon challenge with the pathogenic SARS-CoV-2 Delta VOC. We further demonstrate that NanoSTING-SN prevents transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron VOC (BA.5) to vaccine-naïve hamsters. To evaluate protection against other sarbecoviruses, we immunized mice with NanoSTING-SN. We showed that immunization affords protection against SARS-CoV, leading to protection …

The Protective Efficacy Of A Sars-Cov-2 Vaccine Candidate B1351v Against Several Variant Challenges In K18-Hace2 Mice, Jie Yang, Huifen Fan, Anna Yang, Wenhui Wang, Xin Wan, Fengjie Lin, Dongsheng Yang, Jie Wu, Kaiwen Wang, Wei Li, Qian Cai, Lei You, Deqin Pang, Jia Lu, Changfu Guo, Jinrong Shi, Yan Sun, Xinguo Li, Kai Duan, Shuo Shen, Shengli Meng, Jing Guo, Zejun Wang

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOCs) with increased transmissibility and partial resistance to neutralization by antibodies has been observed globally. There is an urgent need for an effective vaccine to combat these variants. Our study demonstrated that the B.1.351 variant inactivated vaccine candidate (B.1.351V) generated strong binding and neutralizing antibody responses in BALB/c mice against the B.1.351 virus and other SARS-CoV-2 variants after two doses within 28 days. Immunized K18-hACE2 mice also exhibited elevated levels of live virus-neutralizing antibodies against various SARS-CoV-2 viruses. Following infection with these viruses, K18-hACE2 mice displayed a stable body weight, a high survival …

Ultrapotent Broadly Neutralizing Human-Llama Bispecific Antibodies Against Hiv-1, Jianliang Xu, Tongqing Zhou, Krisha Mckee, Baoshan Zhang, Cuiping Liu, Alexandra F Nazzari, Amarendra Pegu, Chen-Hsiang Shen, Jordan E Becker, Michael F Bender, Payton Chan, Anita Changela, Ridhi Chaudhary, Xuejun Chen, Tal Einav, Young Do Kwon, Bob C Lin, Mark K Louder, Jonah S Merriam, Nicholas C Morano, Sijy O'Dell, Adam S Olia, Reda Rawi, Ryan S Roark, Tyler Stephens, I-Ting Teng, Emily Tourtellott-Fogt, Shuishu Wang, Eun Sung Yang, Lawrence Shapiro, Yaroslav Tsybovsky, Nicole A Doria-Rose, Rafael Casellas, Peter D Kwong

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Broadly neutralizing antibodies are proposed as therapeutic and prophylactic agents against HIV‐1, but their potency and breadth are less than optimal. This study describes the immunization of a llama with the prefusion‐stabilized HIV‐1 envelope (Env) trimer, BG505 DS‐SOSIP, and the identification and improvement of potent neutralizing nanobodies recognizing the CD4‐binding site (CD4bs) of vulnerability. Two of the vaccine‐elicited CD4bs‐targeting nanobodies, G36 and R27, when engineered into a triple tandem format with llama IgG2a‐hinge region and human IgG1‐constant region (G36×3‐IgG2a and R27×3‐IgG2a), neutralized 96% of a multiclade 208‐strain panel at geometric mean IC80s of 0.314 and 0.033 µg mL−1, respectively. Cryo‐EM …

Facebook’S Shared Articles On Hpv Vaccination: Analysis Of Persuasive Strategies, Ashley Hedrick Mckenzie, Elaine Avshman, Ross Shegog, Lara S Savas, L Aubree Shay

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: The current study analyzed articles shared on Facebook between 2019 and 2021 that discuss the HPV vaccine. Results address a gap in knowledge about the persuasive strategies used in HPV vaccine discourse on Facebook.

Methods: Using Buzzsumo.com, we collected 138 articles, shared on Facebook between 2019 and 2021, with the highest "engagement scores," or total number of reactions, comments, and shares. Using a content analysis methodology, three independent coders were trained in using the study codebook, achieved acceptable inter-rater reliability (Krippendorf's alpha = 0.811), and coded each article in Atlas.ti.

Results: Seventy-two articles had a positive valence toward the …

A Phase 2 Clinical Trial To Evaluate The Safety, Reactogenicity, And Immunogenicity Of Different Prime-Boost Vaccination Schedules Of 2013 And 2017 A(H7n9) Inactivated Influenza Virus Vaccines Administered With And Without As03 Adjuvant In Healthy Us Adults, Christina A Rostad, Robert L Atmar, Emmanuel B Walter, Sharon Frey, Jeffery L Meier, Amy C Sherman, Lilin Lai, Rachel Tsong, Carol M Kao, Vanessa Raabe, Hana M El Sahly, Wendy A Keitel, Jennifer A Whitaker, Michael J Smith, Kenneth E Schmader, Geeta K Swamy, Getahun Abate, Patricia Winokur, Wendy Buchanan, Kaitlyn Cross, Ashley Wegel, Yongxian Xu, Inci Yildirim, Satoshi Kamidani, Nadine Rouphael, Paul C Roberts, Mark J Mulligan, Evan J Anderson

Center for Medical Ethics and Health Policy Staff Publications

Introduction: A surge of human influenza A(H7N9) cases began in 2016 in China from an antigenically distinct lineage. Data are needed about the safety and immunogenicity of 2013 and 2017 A(H7N9) inactivated influenza vaccines (IIVs) and the effects of AS03 adjuvant, prime-boost interval, and priming effects of 2013 and 2017 A(H7N9) IIVs.

Methods: Healthy adults (n = 180), ages 19-50 years, were enrolled into this partially blinded, randomized, multicenter phase 2 clinical trial. Participants were randomly assigned to 1 of 6 vaccination groups evaluating homologous versus heterologous prime-boost strategies with 2 different boost intervals (21 vs 120 days) and 2 …

A Multilevel Intervention To Promote Hpv Vaccination Among Young Adults In Texas: Protocol For A Randomized Controlled Trial, Qian Lu, Lenna Dawkins-Moultin, Dalnim Cho, Naomi Q P Tan, Suellen Hopfer, Yisheng Li, Lois Ramondetta, Yusi Xu, Di Lun, Minxing Chen

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

BACKGROUND: Human papillomavirus (HPV) infections can cause cancers of the cervix, vagina, vulva, penis, anus, and oropharynx. The most recently approved HPV vaccine, Gardasil-9, protects against HPV infection and can prevent HPV-associated invasive cancers. However, Gardasil-9 is one of the most underused vaccines in the US today. Young adults are at risk for HPV infection, but many are not vaccinated. This study uses a randomized controlled trial (RCT) to test an innovative multilevel intervention to increase HPV vaccination rates among young adults. In this paper, we describe the research protocol.

METHODS: The study uses a two by three factorial design. …

Barriers To The Assessment And Recommendation Of Hpv Vaccination Among Healthcare Providers In Texas, Onyema G Chido-Amajuoyi, Ikponmwosa Osaghae, Henry K Onyeaka, Sanjay Shete

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

BACKGROUND: Healthcare providers (HCPs) recommendations for HPV vaccination plays a critical role in increasing vaccination uptake. This study assesses the prevalence of reported barriers to HPV vaccination assessment and recommendation among HCPs in Texas.

METHODS: Study data were obtained from a population-based survey of HCPs currently practicing in Texas. Participants were asked about their HPV vaccination assessment and recommendation practices and the reasons for not assessing or recommending the vaccine. Barriers were stratified by HCP characteristics including age, sex, race/ethnicity, location of practice, provider type, and type of facility.

RESULTS: Among the 826 HCPs included in this study, 47.3 % …