Pittvax

06/22/2018

The continued need for advances in influenza vaccine research has been highlighted with the recent outbreak of the H7N9 avian influenza virus in China. Since October 2016 it has killed over 600 people and infected 1600 others. Read more here.

A new strain of bird flu has killed one-third of infected people.

05/23/2018

Following a new outbreak of Ebola in the Democratic Republic of Congo, health officials are optimistic that an experimental vaccine will quell the spread of the virus. Strict protocols and precautions are being exercised to address the experimental nature of the vaccine. Read more here.
https://www.kff.org/news-summary/who-offers-experimental-ebola-vaccine-to-outbreak-responders-congo-to-begin-vaccination-as-early-as-this-weekend/

The Guardian: Congo enters uncharted territory as it faces gravest Ebola challenge to date “More than 4,000 doses of an experimental vaccine against Ebola have arrived in Kinshasa, the capita…

04/10/2018

Researchers at the University of Chicago Medicine and the Icahn School of Medicine at Mt. Sinai Hospital in New York City found that utilizing neuraminidase-reactive antibodies showed comparable effectiveness to that of hemagglutinin-reactive antibodies. Thus, vaccines that stimulate neuraminidase antibodies instead of only focusing on hemagglutinin, are likely to be more effective than current vaccines. Read more here.

In the April 5, 2018, issue of the journal Cell, researchers push for greater emphasis on the neglected viral-surface influenza protein neuraminidase. For decades, flu vaccines have concentrated on hemagglutinin. The authors maintain that a focus on neuraminidase could lower infection rates and less...

06/19/2017

Sydney University researchers have found that individuals with influenza are 17 times more likely to suffer a heart attack during the week following their illness. These findings highlight the importance of receiving a flu vaccine every year. Read more here.
https://www.yahoo.com/news/risk-heart-attack-spikes-flu-pneumonia-study-180355104.html

Coming down with the flu, bronchitis or pneumonia can dramatically raise the risk of a heart attack -- up to 17-fold -- in the days and weeks following the infection, researchers said Monday. The findings confirm earlier research that pointed to an apparent link between respiratory infection and car...

05/26/2017

Researchers from the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University (LKSOM) and the University of Pittsburgh found that HIV DNA can be removed from the genomes of living animals. Utilizing a mice model, the researchers found that no further infection was observed. Read more here.

http://www.genengnews.com/gen-news-highlights/crispr-eliminates-hiv-in-live-animals/81254287

New research reveals that HIV DNA can be excised from the genomes of living animals to eliminate further infection

05/17/2017

The PittVax Research team at the University of Pittsburgh Department of Family Medicine contributed to a recently published study that found that immunization rates significantly decreased when the needle-less vaccine was not offered. The nasal spray live attenuated influenza vaccine, or LAIV had been offered until the 2016-2017 influenza season when the CDC recommended that it not be used due to low vaccine effectiveness. Read more here.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28431811

Am J Prev Med. 2017 Apr 18. pii: S0749-3797(17)30170-8. doi: 10.1016/j.amepre.2017.02.019. [Epub ahead of print]

05/09/2017

Dr. Flavia Bustreo of the World Health Organization has recently published a commentary urging people to focus on the facts regarding vaccination rather than the myths. Immunization is still the safest and most effective way for us to protect ourselves against infectious diseases. Read more here.
http://www.who.int/mediacentre/commentaries/2017/embrace-facts-vaccines/en/

Vaccines are available but myths around them discourage parents from immunizing their children. We need to bust myths and promote the benefits of immunization more widely.

05/04/2017

Investigators at the Scripps Research Institute have recently discovered a technique to bind HIV fighting antibodies to immune cells. Research conducted thus far has shown that the resistant cells can efficiently replace the infected cells with the potential to cure the disease. Read more here.
https://patch.com/california/lajolla/scripps-scientists-create-hiv-resistant-cells

Their experiments under lab conditions show that resistant cells can quickly replace diseased cells, potentially curing the disease.

10/07/2016

Are you or do you know a cancer survivor, patient, or caregiver? The CDC offers some good advice for flu vaccination this season. Read more here.
http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/flu/

CDC answers important questions about special considerations for the flu for cancer patients and survivors and their caregivers.

09/28/2016

A recently published study by the PittVax Research team at the University of Pittsburgh Department of Family Medicine found that Tdap vaccination rates could be increased in primary care practices using the 4 Pillars™ Practice Transformation Program. The intervention included the 4 Pillars™ program plus staff education and coaching of an office immunization champion. Read more here.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27576073

Vaccine. 2016 Sep 22;34(41):5026-33. doi: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2016.07.053. Epub 2016 Aug 26.

09/21/2016

Investigators at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute have recently discovered a type of immune antibody that can destroy 18 different influenza virus strains including some strains to which the body has not been exposed. Read more here.
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/09/160913120757.htm

Investigators report that they have discovered a type of immune antibody that can rapidly evolve to neutralize a wide array of influenza virus strains – including those the body hasn’t yet encountered.

09/01/2016

A Pittsburgh research team that helps shape the annual flu vaccines has landed a $5.5 million federal grant to continue the work, at least for five more years. The award renewal from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stems from the “high productivity” of the Vaccination Research...