Neuroinfection and preventive medicine
2023 Volume 40 Issue 2 Pages 99-103
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2023 Volume 40 Issue 2 Pages 99-103
The discovery and approval of novel treatments and vaccines are altering the trajectory of neuroinfectious illnesses.
As for bacterial meningitis, the pneumococcal vaccine and Haemophilus influenzae type b vaccine have reduced the incidence of bacterial meningitis in children. The pneumococcal vaccine is now routinely administered to adults as well to prevent pneumonia, but problems of serotype substitution have arisen, including for children. Additionally, recently approved medications for the treatment of systemic myasthenia gravis and neuromyelitis optica spectrum diseases, such as eculizumab and labulizumab, increase the risk of meningococcal infection in adults and may result in meningitis. As a result, it is critical to immunize patients against meningococcal meningitis before administration and to describe the risks to the patient and family.
For tetanus, additional immunization with absorbed tetanus toxoid or concomitant use of human tetanus immune globulin should be taken into account, depending on the condition of the wound. According to an evaluation of contamination, wound depth, and consequences from neuropathy or ischemia, aggressive debridement should be taken into consideration for non–open wounds.
Vaccines for shingles have been approved for patients over 50 years of age, both live attenuated vaccines and genetically engineered vaccines. Given that both are successful in avoiding the disease's start, it is important to recognize the benefits and drawbacks of each and employ them appropriately.
The Japanese encephalitis virus, a flavivirus, is subject to routine vaccination in childhood, but it is known that the antibody retention rate declines in adults, and additional vaccination should be considered for those who work in rural areas in endemic areas. Although Japan has not licensed a vaccine for the tick–borne encephalitis virus, the administration should be taken into account if the individual will be living in an area where it is common or will be visiting a forest.
There is also disagreement over the effectiveness of long–term SARS–CoV–2 vaccines, and further understanding of the etiology is preferred.
