Hepatitis B Vaccination
Immunization with hepatitis B vaccine accelerates SLE-like disease in a murine model.
Agmon-Levin N1, Arango MT2, Kivity S3, Katzav A4, Gilburd B5, Blank M5, Tomer N5, Volkov A6, Barshack I6, Chapman J4, Shoenfeld Y7.
Abstract
Hepatitis-B vaccine (HBVv) can prevent HBV-infection and associated liver diseases. However, concerns regarding its safety, particularly among patients with autoimmune diseases (i.e. SLE) were raised. Moreover, the aluminum adjuvant in HBVv was related to immune mediated adverse events. Therefore, we examined the effects of immunization with HBVv or alum on SLE-like disease in a murine model. NZBWF1 mice were immunized with HBVv (Engerix), or aluminum hydroxide (alum) or phosphate buffered saline (PBS) at 8 and 12 weeks of age. Mice were followed for weight, autoantibodies titers, blood counts, proteinuria, kidney histology, neurocognitive functions (novel object recognition, staircase, Y-maze and the forced swimming tests) and brain histology. Immunization with HBVv induced acceleration of kidney disease manifested by high anti-dsDNA antibodies (p < 0.01), early onset of proteinuria (p < 0.05), histological damage and deposition of HBs antigen in the kidney. Mice immunized with HBVv and/or alum had decreased cells counts mainly of the red cell lineage (p < 0.001), memory deficits (p < 0.01), and increased activated microglia in different areas of the brain compare with mice immunized with PBS. Anxiety-like behavior was more pronounced among mice immunized with alum. In conclusion, herein we report that immunization with the HBVv aggravated kidney disease in an animal model of SLE. Immunization with either HBVv or alum affected blood counts, neurocognitive functions and brain gliosis. Our data support the concept that different component of vaccines may be linked with immune and autoimmune mediated adverse events.
Source : J Autoimmun. 2014 Nov;54:21-32. doi: 10.1016/j.jaut.2014.06.006. Epub 2014 Jul 16
Chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia following immunization with the hepatitis B vaccine: another angle of the 'autoimmune (auto-inflammatory) syndrome induced by adjuvants' (ASIA).
Agmon-Levin N1, Zafrir Y, Kivity S, Balofsky A, Amital H, Shoenfeld Y.
Abstract
The objectives of this study were to gather information regarding demographic and clinical characteristics of patients diagnosed with either fibromyalgia (FM) or chronic fatigue (CFS) following hepatitis B vaccination (HBVv) and furthermore to apply the recently suggested criteria of autoimmune (auto-inflammatory) syndromes induced by adjuvants (ASIA), in the aim of identifying common characteristics that may suggest an association between fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue and HBV vaccination. Medical records of 19 patients with CFS and/or fibromyalgia following HBVv immunization were analyzed. All of which were immunized during 1990-2008 in different centers in the USA. All medical records were evaluated for demographics, medical history, the number of vaccine doses, as well as immediate and long term post-immunization adverse events and clinical manifestations. In addition, available blood tests, imaging results, treatments and outcomes were analyzed. ASIA criteria were applied to all patients. The mean age of patients was 28.6 ± 11 years, of which 68.4 % were females. 21.05 % had either personal or familial background of autoimmune disease. The mean latency period from the last dose of HBVv to onset of symptoms was 38.6 ± 79.4 days, ranging from days to a year. Eight (42.1 %) patients continued with the immunization program despite experiencing adverse events. Manifestations that were commonly reported included neurological manifestations (84.2 %), musculoskeletal (78.9 %), psychiatric (63.1 %), fatigue (63.1 %), gastrointestinal complains (58 %) and mucocutaneous manifestations (36.8 %). Autoantibodies were detected in 71 % of patients tested. All patients fulfilled the ASIA criteria. This study suggests that in some cases CFS and FM can be temporally related to immunization, as part of ASIA syndrome. The appearance of adverse event during immunization, the presence of autoimmune susceptibility and higher titers of autoantibodies all can be suggested as risk factors. ASIA criteria were fulfilled in all patients eluding the plausible link between ASIA and CFS/FM.
Source : Immunol Res. 2014 Dec;60(2-3):376-83. doi: 10.1007/s12026-014-8604-2
Autoimmunity following hepatitis B vaccine as part of the spectrum of 'Autoimmune (Auto-inflammatory) Syndrome induced by Adjuvants' (ASIA): analysis of 93 cases.
Zafrir Y1, Agmon-Levin N, Paz Z, Shilton T, Shoenfeld Y.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES:In this study we analyzed the clinical and demographic manifestations among patients diagnosed with immune/autoimmune-mediated diseases post-hepatitis B vaccination. We aimed to find common denominators for all patients, regardless of different diagnosed diseases, as well as the correlation to the criteria of Autoimmune (Auto-inflammatory) Syndrome induced by Adjuvants (ASIA).
PATIENTS AND METHODS:We have retrospectively analyzed the medical records of 114 patients, from different centers in the USA, diagnosed with immune-mediated diseases following immunization with hepatitis-B vaccine (HBVv). All patients in this cohort sought legal consultation. Of these, 93/114 patients diagnosed with disease before applying for legal consultation were included in the study. All medical records were evaluated for demographics, medical history, number of vaccine doses, peri-immunization adverse events and clinical manifestations of diseases. In addition, available blood tests, imaging results, treatments and outcomes were recorded. Signs and symptoms of the different immune-mediated diseases were grouped according to the organ or system involved. ASIA criteria were applied to all patients.
RESULTS:The mean age of 93 patients was 26.5 ± 15 years; 69.2% were female and 21% were considered autoimmune susceptible. The mean latency period from the last dose of HBVv and onset of symptoms was 43.2 days. Of note, 47% of patients continued with the immunization program despite experiencing adverse events. Manifestations that were commonly reported included neuro-psychiatric (70%), fatigue (42%) mucocutaneous (30%), musculoskeletal (59%) and gastrointestinal (50%) complaints. Elevated titers of autoantibodies were documented in 80% of sera tested. In this cohort 80/93 patients (86%), comprising 57/59 (96%) adults and 23/34 (68%) children, fulfilled the required criteria for ASIA.
CONCLUSIONS:Common clinical characteristics were observed among 93 patients diagnosed with immune-mediated conditions post-HBVv, suggesting a common denominator in these diseases. In addition, risk factors such as history of autoimmune diseases and the appearance of adverse event(s) during immunization may serve to predict the risk of post-immunization diseases. The ASIA criteria were found to be very useful among adults with post-vaccination events. The application of the ASIA criteria to pediatric populations requires further study.
Source : Lupus. 2012 Feb;21(2):146-52. doi: 10.1177/0961203311429318.
The Dangers of a Hepatitis B Vaccination for Your Baby
Brand new one day old babies are routinely injected with the hepatitis B vaccine in US hospitals, yet it can be very dangerous and is completely unnecessary. Hepatitis B is a disease spread most often by unprotected sex and infected drug needles neither of which the average newborn will participate in. The disease is about as hard to catch as the HIV virus yet no where near as dangerous. 90-95% of all hepatitis B cases completely recover after a few weeks of symptoms such as headache, nausea and fatigue. The disease is far from deadly and the people who are at risk of getting hepatitis B are IV drug users, prostitutes and other adults with multiple unprotected sexual encounter, prisoners, and babies born to infected mothers. Pregnant women are tested during pregnancy and unless they are positive carriers of the hepatitis B virus, their newborn should not have to receive this vaccination. Yet since 2002 this shot has been added to the recommended immunization schedule and many US hospitals give it to newborn babies before they even leave go home. Common reactions to the hepatitis B vaccine among those who can communicate include headache, nausea, fever and fatigue oddly the same symptoms as the hard to catch disease. As for more serious side effects, the Hepatitis B vaccine has also been reported to cause a variety of immune and neurological health problems. There have been persistent reports of the vaccine being related to sudden infant death syndrome which is most likely to occur at 2 months, 4 month and 6 months exactly the same time as the hepatitis B vaccine series is often given. Other reports indicate such adverse reactions such as Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS), transverse myelitis, optic neuritis, and multiple sclerosis as well as immune system dysfunction including chronic arthritis. Some speculations have also come about insisting on a connecting with Autism and the hepatitis B vaccine as well as several more on the recommended immunization schedule.
There has been an alarming number of newborn and infant deaths following the injecting of the hepatitis B vaccine. The immune system is quite complicated and no one really knows exactly how it functions and yet brand new babies are guinea pigs for this unnecessary vaccine. That's right; your newborn is a tester as no studies have been done to prove that the vaccine is safe for a 1 day old infant, or a 6 month old for that matter. Studies were done on 5 and 10 year old children and revolved around efficiency, not safety. And effectiveness can also be questioned as many as 50% of those vaccinated with the hepatitis B vaccine will lose their antibodies within 7 years. And 60% or more will lose their immunity within 12 years. So just as your child reaches adolescents they will need to be vaccinated again if immunity to hepatitis B is desired, just at the time when there actually might be a potential, yet still unlikely, threat of the disease. One of the dangers in the hepatitis B vaccine, mercury, was removed from most but not all vaccines a few years ago but sadly was replaced by aluminum which is yet another potential neurotoxin. Aluminum has been associated with Alzheimer's in older victims and what it can possibly do to assault the newborns immature central nervous system is very much unknown. So why on earth is this dangerous and unnecessary vaccine given to babies before they even leave the hospital? The logic is flawed but one reason is that hospitals assume that the new mother wasn't adequately tested and they are safeguarding the newborn. Another is that the baby may go home to live with chronic carriers of the hepatitis B disease and somehow catch it themselves. Another reason is simply to "catch them while they can" and begin childhood immunizations while they are there in the hospital in hopes of better compliance of the CDC's recommended schedule. The sad truth is that the biggest factor is profit. That's right, follow the paper trail. Each year, Merck, the maker of the hepatitis B vaccine makes over $1 Billion dollars in sales because of this. That's a lot of money and money talks when influencing public policies. The biggest pusher of this vaccine is the Hepatitis B Coalition who not surprisingly, gets a huge amount of funding from the pharmaceutical company Merck itself. So what can we do? Tell every pregnant woman you know about the dangers of the hepatitis B vaccine and just how likely her newborn is at risk of actually catching the disease. Encourage her to research on her own the amount of cases of hepatitis B each year, the CDC keeps a record including age groups and outcome (hospitalization, death, etc) and have her read up on the ingredients of the vaccine and search VAERS for reported adverse reactions. Also look into the actual efficiency rates and how long any so called immunity lasts. If parents are still convinced that the hepatitis B vaccine is necessary at least insist that they wait until their child is a teenager and their immune system is more developed. When having your baby in the hospital decline the hepatitis B vaccine, include this info in your birth plan and refuse to sign any consent forms. Just say NO, your newborn will thank you for caring enough to inform yourself before blindly allowing the hospital staff to inject poisons into their tiny body.
Source : Yahoo News
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