Nasal flu vaccine no longer recommended

FluMist, the flu vaccine in the form of a nasal spray, is no longer recommended in the guidelines set forth by the American Association of Pediatrics (AAP) outlining preventative flu measures (Scutti, 2016). This form of the vaccine was found to be not nearly as protective as hoped, reducing the chance of getting the virus by only 3% as compared to no intervention in children 2-17 years in a study conducted by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, part of the CDC (Fox, 2016). The injected vaccine is effective for two-thirds of that same population.

           The difference in protective capacity stems from the type of vaccine. The shot is an inactivated vaccine (Scutti, 2016) in which all the virus particles are no longer pathogenic. FluMist, on the other hand, is a live attenuated vaccine, meaning that a weakened form of the virus is present. The inactivated virus with all of its parts usually develops a more protective immune response than a live attenuated virus. Everyone over the age of six months is strongly advised to get the vaccine. This is particularly important for vulnerable populations such as health care providers, young children, seniors, and pregnant women.

           AstraZeneca, the maker of FluMist, disputed the CDC findings (Fox, 2016). The pharmaceutical giant cited European studies and a Canadian study that found their vaccine to be effective. However, because the guidelines set forth influence vaccine availability in the US, it is unlikely that AstraZeneca will be able to fight back at all this year.

           One potential outcome of this change is that some people may choose to opt out of getting the shot. This may put particular populations more at risk. In this case, with FluMist most often being used to vaccinate children, they are the ones most likely to be at risk. However, Dr. David Henderson, an OhioHealth pediatrics physician, doesn’t think parents who have a history of vaccination will let their kid go without getting the vaccine (Scutti, 2016).

References:

Fox, M. (September 6, 2016). Pediatricians give thumbs-down to FluMist flu vaccine. NBC News. Retrieved from

Harris, R. (September 6, 2016). Pediatricians Recommend Flu Vaccination, Just Not with The Spray. NPR.org. Retrieved from http://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2016/09/06/492829843/pediatricians-recommend-flu-vaccination-just-not-with-the-spray

Scutti, S. (September 6, 2016). Pediatricians update flu vaccine guidelines to remove FluMist. CNN. Retrieved from http://www.cnn.com/2016/09/06/health/flu-season-flumist-spray-shot/index.html

New test for risk of Alzheimer’s disease

            A new test has been developed to identify those at increased risk for Alzheimer’s disease (Science Bulletin, 2016). The biochip-based blood test was presented at the 68th AACC Annual Scientific Meeting & Clinical Expo in Philadelphia. The biochip, created by Randox Laboratories, will save patients both time and money by conducting multiple tests on the same blood sample and analyzing results in as little as three hours (Nichols, 2016). The biochips were also found to have the same accuracy as a standard DNA test.

            The gene for apolipoprotein is known to be a significant genetic risk factor for a multitude of neurodegenerative diseases, including dementia. Specifically, the E4 variant can increase a person’s risk for developing the disease 8-12 times when inherited from both parents. This new test detects the presence of the protein produced by this gene in a blood sample (Science Bulletin, 2016). According to research scientist Emma C. Harte, Ph.D, of Randox Laboratories, “pairing this test with medical and family history for risk of Alzheimer’s disease,” will greatly improve diagnostic ability as well as personalized medicine.

            Other tests for the disease have been less scientific. With cognitive decline comes progressive loss of senses, smell being the first to go. Researchers at the University of Florida found that those with a confirmed early-stage diagnosis of Alzheimer’s were able to smell a dollop of peanut butter with their right nostril, but not their left (Johnson, 2013). More recently, studies presented at the 2016 Alzheimer’s Association International Conference suggest that a poor score on an odor detection test correlated with subsequent memory loss (Borreli, 2016). These tests may be used in the future for an even cheaper and earlier test for Alzheimer’s disease.

(2016). New biochip-based blood test detects elevated risk for Alzheimer’s disease. Science Bulletin. Retrieved from http://sciencebulletin.org/archives/3971.html

Borreli, L. (July 27, 2016). Can't Smell Coffee? Maybe You Have Alzheimer's. Medical Daily. Retrieved from http://www.medicaldaily.com/alzheimers-disease-sniff-test-memory-decline-392885

Johnson, J. (October 9, 2013). Alzheimer's Test: Can You Smell Peanut Butter?. Newser. Retrieved from http://www.newser.com/story/175622/alzheimers-test-can-you-smell-peanut-butter.html

Nichols, H. (August 3, 2016). Alzheimer's: Biochip blood test detects disease risk. Medical News Today. Retrieved from http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/312094.php