1.Anti-IgLON5 encephalopathy with memory deficits: A case report and literature review
Journal of Apoplexy and Nervous Diseases 2026;43(1):81-84
Anti-IgLON5 encephalopathy, also known as anti-IgLON5 antibody-associated encephalopathy, is an extremely rare autoimmune disease affecting the central nervous system. The core clinical manifestations of this disease include sleep disturbance, gait abnormalities, medulla oblongata dysfunction, and cognitive impairment, as well as the presence of anti-IgLON5 antibodies in serum and/or cerebrospinal fluid. This article reports a case of anti-IgLON5 encephalopathy with memory deficits diagnosed in our hospital, and a literature review is also conducted to enhance the understanding of this condition.
Immunotherapy
2.Drivers for decision change in getting vaccinated against COVID-19: A retrospective cross-sectional study
Rosemary R. Seva ; Lourdes Marie S. Tejero ; Bettina Joyce P. Ilagan
Acta Medica Philippina 2026;60(3):60-69
Background:
A certain percentage of the vaccinated population initially did not want to get vaccinated but changed
their minds (from 30% to 70%). By October 2022, World Bank reported that the Philippines had 77.8% COVID-19 vaccination rate. Knowing the factors that changed their decision can help improve the vaccination rate.
Objective:
This survey aimed to identify the factors that influence positive change in vaccination decisions.
Methods:
This survey was conducted in the Philippines among Filipinos aged 18-80 years old between March to April 2022. The dependent variable in the study was decision change, a binary variable coded as 1 for a vaccinated person who changed their decision from no to yes and 0 for an unvaccinated person who did not change their decision from yes to no.
Results:
Age (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 0.92, 95% CI = 0.89-0.96) and having a college degree (aOR=11.707,
95% CI=3.23-42.41) are related to changing decisions. Young and college degree holders are likely to change their decisions positively about getting vaccinated. Employer requirement also influences decision change because it affects a person's livelihood. High scores on vaccine confidence (aOR = 1.181, 95% CI = 1.12-1.25) and awareness (aOR = 1.318, 95% CI = 1.08-1.61) are associated with decision change.
Conclusion
Being young, educated, employed with a requirement to vaccinate, and having high vaccine awareness
and confidence are strongly associated with a positive change in the decision to get vaccinated.
Vaccines
;
Vaccination
;
Philippines
;
Awareness
;
Covid-19
3.Measles in Indonesia: Vaccination Coverage and Identified Challenges
Acta Medica Indonesiana 2026;58(1):3-4
Abstract
Measles has re-emerged as a significant public health threat in Indonesia, signaling gaps in immunization coverage and systemic health inequities. Following the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the country has seen a troubling resurgence in cases. This editorial examines the current epidemiological situation, structural barriers to vaccination, and necessary strategies for elimination. In 2025, Indonesia recorded over 63,000 suspected cases, with the trend continuing into 2026. Current vaccination coverage for children aged 12–23 months stands at 73.46%, which is significantly below the 95% threshold required for herd immunity. Key barriers identified include maternal education levels, archipelagic geography, and sociocultural factors such as religious permissibility and safety concerns. Addressing the measles resurgence requires a multi-faceted approach: strengthening routine and catch-up immunization services, addressing social determinants of health, and rebuilding public trust through community engagement. Achieving high coverage is essential to prevent severe clinical complications and protect vulnerable populations.
Measles
;
Measles resurgence
;
Immunization coverage
;
Indonesia
;
Vaccine hesitancy
;
Public health systems
4.Socio-cultural and technical gaps in rabies control in the Philippines.
Gerry Joey P. LAURITO II ; Angelika Buenaventura RAMOS ; Kimberly CU
Philippine Journal of Health Research and Development 2025;29(3):100-103
Rabies remains a persistent public health issue in the Philippines, despite the existence of national and local policies and programs aimed at addressing its eradication. The viral disease, which elicits fatality yet is preventable, disproportionately affects rural areas, especially geographically isolated and disadvantaged area due to the junction of socio-cultural and technical challenges. This commentary article explores the myriad of barriers to rabies prevention and control, including poverty, cultural beliefs, limited health literacy, health delivery, and access inequity. However, the implementation of Rabies Act of 2007, which mandates mass vaccination, education, and the establishment of Animal Bite Treatment Centers (ABTCs), has gaps in the implementation that compromises the program’s sustainability and effectiveness. Deep-rooted cultural practices and beliefs delay or, more so replace evidence-informed medical practices, while geographic isolation and underfunded healthcare facilities hinder optimal provision of care. Moreover, interagency coordination and fragmented reporting surveillance systems further complicate effective rabies control. To address the gaps, this paper advocates for a culturally tailored and community-centered One Health approach that addresses both social and technical aspects of rabies prevention. Important recommendations include decentralizing ABTCs, sustaining vaccination programs with local government support and funding, integrating rabies education into schools and community outreach, and intensifying through multisectoral collaboration both government and nongovernment institutions. Achieving a rabies-free country requires not only biomedical interventions but also a holistic approach – equitable access to healthcare, trust building in communities, and long-term political commitment. In this manner, regardless of location and socioeconomic status, it ensures that this viral disease will be controlled and prevented.
Human ; Philippines ; Social Class ; Rabies ; Virus Diseases ; Mass Vaccination
5.COVID-19 vaccine acceptance among kidney transplant recipients in Singapore.
Ian Tatt LIEW ; Hanis Abdul KADIR ; Sobhana THANGARAJU ; Quan Yao HO ; Eleanor NG ; Fiona FOO ; Terence KEE
Singapore medical journal 2025;66(2):73-80
INTRODUCTION:
A successful vaccination programme forms the cornerstone of controlling coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The unprecedented speed of COVID-19 vaccine development and lack of long-term data have raised fears regarding its safety and efficacy. Vaccine hesitancy can undermine the uptake, and hence success of the vaccination programme. Given the high complication rates of COVID-19 infections in kidney transplant recipients, it is particularly important to identify and address vaccine hesitancy in this population.
METHODS:
We conducted a cross-sectional survey among kidney transplant recipients attending transplant clinic between 5 April and 5 May 2021. The survey assessed attitudes towards COVID-19, willingness/hesitancy towards COVID-19 vaccination, vaccination concerns and prompts to vaccination. This was scored on a Likert scale with scores ranging from 'strongly disagree' - 1 point to 'strongly agree' - 5 points.
RESULTS:
One hundred and one completed responses were captured. Of these, 86% respondents reported to agree or strongly agree to vaccination. This was despite significant concerns of allograft rejection (mean score 4.12, standard deviation [SD] 0.97) and decreased immunosuppressant efficacy (mean score 4.14, SD 0.96) with vaccination. Multivariable model showed a positive association with transplant vintage of ≥ 5 years (median 2.41), lower educational levels of secondary school or less (median 5.82) and healthcare provider advocacy (median 1.88) in predicting vaccine acceptance.
CONCLUSIONS
Vaccine acceptance rate was high among kidney transplant recipients. Vaccine hesitancy remains a concern in those with a transplant vintage of less than 5 years and those with tertiary educational level. Healthcare provider advocacy is important in improving vaccine acceptance rates.
Humans
;
Kidney Transplantation
;
Singapore/epidemiology*
;
Male
;
Cross-Sectional Studies
;
Female
;
COVID-19 Vaccines
;
COVID-19/epidemiology*
;
Middle Aged
;
Adult
;
Transplant Recipients/psychology*
;
Patient Acceptance of Health Care/statistics & numerical data*
;
Vaccination Hesitancy/psychology*
;
Surveys and Questionnaires
;
Vaccination/psychology*
;
Aged
;
SARS-CoV-2
6.The East Asian gut microbiome and its role in oncology: a narrative review.
Evelyn Yi Ting WONG ; Jonathan Wei Jie LEE ; Jeremy Fung Yen LIM ; Han Chong TOH
Singapore medical journal 2025;66(8):426-430
The field of onco-microbiome is rapidly expanding. Multiple studies have shown the crucial role of gut microbiota in the regulation of nutrient metabolism, immunomodulation and protection against pathogens. Tools for manipulating the gut microbiota include dietary modification and faecal microbiota transfer. Accumulating evidence has also documented the application of specific intestinal microbiome in cancer immunotherapy, notably in enhancing the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors. The aim of this review is to focus on the East Asian microbiome and to provide a current overview of microbiome science and its clinical application in cancer biology and immunotherapy.
Humans
;
Gastrointestinal Microbiome
;
Neoplasms/microbiology*
;
Immunotherapy/methods*
;
Asia, Eastern
;
Medical Oncology
;
Fecal Microbiota Transplantation
;
Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors/therapeutic use*
;
East Asian People
7.Recommendations for enhanced primary series (third dose) COVID-19 vaccination for people with rheumatic diseases: chapter of Rheumatologists, College of Physicians, Singapore.
Chuanhui XU ; Manjari LAHIRI ; Amelia SANTOSA ; Li-Ching CHEW ; Stanley ANGKODJOJO ; Melonie SRIRANGANATHAN ; Warren FONG ; Thaschawee ARKACHAISRI ; Ernest SURESH ; Kok Ooi KONG ; Aisha LATEEF ; Tau Hong LEE ; Keng Hong LEONG ; Andrea LOW ; Teck Choon TAN ; Ying-Ying LEUNG
Singapore medical journal 2025;66(10):532-539
INTRODUCTION:
This review aims to provide evidence-based recommendations for an enhanced primary series (third dose) coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination in people with rheumatic diseases (PRDs) in the local and regional context.
METHODS:
Literature reviews were performed regarding the necessity, efficacy, safety and strategies for enhanced primary series COVID-19 vaccination in PRDs. Recommendations were developed based on evidence according to the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) methodology. Evidence was synthesised by eight working group members, and the consensus was achieved by a Delphi method with nine members of an expert task force panel.
RESULTS:
Two graded recommendations and one ungraded position statement were developed. PRDs have impaired immunogenicity from the COVID-19 vaccine and are at an increased risk of postvaccine breakthrough severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection and poor clinical outcomes, compared to the general population. We strongly recommend that PRDs on immunomodulatory drugs be offered a third dose of the messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccine as part of an enhanced primary series, after the standard two-dose regimen. We conditionally recommend that the third dose of mRNA vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 be given at least 4 weeks after the second dose or as soon as possible thereafter. There is insufficient data to inform whether the third mRNA vaccine should be homologous or heterologous in PRDs.
CONCLUSION
These recommendations that were developed through evidence synthesis and formal consensus process provide guidance for an enhanced primary series COVID-19 vaccination in PRDs.
Humans
;
COVID-19/prevention & control*
;
COVID-19 Vaccines/administration & dosage*
;
Rheumatic Diseases/immunology*
;
Singapore
;
SARS-CoV-2
;
Vaccination/methods*
;
Delphi Technique
;
Immunization, Secondary
8.Expert initiative for the prevention and control of human papillomavirus infection and related diseases among Chinese males.
Chinese Journal of Preventive Medicine 2025;59(10):1611-1619
Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection not only causes cervical cancer in women but also leads to HPV-related cancers and genital warts in men. Globally, 82 countries have adopted a gender-neutral HPV vaccination strategy to prevent and control related diseases. In China, HPV vaccination for men has now been implemented. Based on the global and domestic burden of male HPV-related diseases, evidence on the safety and efficacy of HPV vaccines in males, and lessons from international male HPV prevention efforts, a panel of experts has developed the Expert Initiative for the Prevention and Control of HPV Infection and related diseases among Chinese males after multi-round discussions. The initiative proposes: Develop comprehensive strategies for the prevention and control of male HPV infection and related diseases; prioritize and enhance public education and awareness campaigns; promote joint prevention for both men and women and advance gender-inclusive vaccination; innovate financing mechanisms to reduce the economic burden; strengthen research on male HPV infection and vaccination to facilitate the development of new vaccines; and adopt innovative immunization models to improve the quality of vaccination services.
Humans
;
Papillomavirus Infections/prevention & control*
;
Male
;
Papillomavirus Vaccines
;
China
;
Vaccination
;
East Asian People
9.Expert consensus on immunoprophylaxis of cervical cancer and other human papillomavirus- related diseases (2025 edition).
Chinese Journal of Epidemiology 2025;46(7):1107-1141
There have been recent, significant changes in strategies and policies for elimination of cervical cancer and advances in research of human papillomavirus (HPV)-related diseases and their prevention and control. Based on the latest national and international research, and building on a consensus published in 2019, we developed an expert consensus on immunoprophylaxis of cervical cancer and other human papillomavirus-related diseases (2025 edition) in order to provide clinicians, disease prevention and control professionals, and vaccination staff a reference for the prevention and control of cervical cancer and other HPV-related diseases and systematic, comprehensive evidence-based support for the scientific use of HPV vaccines to optimize their prevention effectiveness.
Humans
;
Uterine Cervical Neoplasms/virology*
;
Papillomavirus Vaccines/therapeutic use*
;
Papillomavirus Infections/prevention & control*
;
Female
;
Consensus
;
Papillomaviridae/immunology*
;
Vaccination
;
Human Papillomavirus Viruses
10.Omicron SARS-CoV-2 outcomes in vaccinated individuals with heart failure and ischaemic heart disease.
Liang En WEE ; Enoch Xueheng LOY ; Jue Tao LIM ; Yew Woon CHIA ; Shir Lynn LIM ; Jonathan YAP ; Khung Keong YEO ; Derek J HAUSENLOY ; Mark Yan Yee CHAN ; David Chien Boon LYE ; Kelvin Bryan TAN
Annals of the Academy of Medicine, Singapore 2025;54(5):270-282
INTRODUCTION:
Outcomes after SARS-CoV-2 Omicron infection in patients with heart failure (HF) and ischaemic heart disease (IHD) remain poorly defined.
METHOD:
In a highly vaccinated cohort of adult Singapore citizens and permanent residents, we used Cox proportional hazards models (adjusted for sociodemographic variables and comorbidities) to compare the risks of Omicron infection, COVID-19- related hospitalisation, and severe COVID-19 between indivi-duals with HF or IHD and matched controls without these conditions.
RESULTS:
From national databases, we identified 15,426 HF patients matched 1:∼3 to 41,221 controls, and 110,442 IHD patients matched 1:∼2 to 223,843 controls. Over 80% of HF and IHD patients had received at least 3 vaccine doses. During the Omicron-predominant period, both HF and IHD cohorts demonstrated higher adjusted risks of COVID-19 hospitalisation compared with matched controls (HF: adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 1.77, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.65-1.90; IHD: aHR 1.21, 95% CI 1.17-1.26). Among those with at least 1 HF-or IHD-related admission in the prior year, hospitalisation risk was further elevated (HF: aHR 1.27, 95% CI 1.13-1.42; IHD: aHR 1.11, 95% CI 1.01-1.23). Receipt of ≥3 vaccine doses was associated with substantially lower risk of severe COVID-19 versus only 2 doses (HF: aHR 0.35, 95% CI 0.28-0.43; IHD: aHR 0.27, 95% CI 0.23-0.32). A fourth dose conferred additional reductions in infection and adverse outcomes, though CIs for infection overlapped with those for 3 doses.
CONCLUSION
During Omicron predominance, HF and IHD patients experienced greater risk of COVID-19 hospitalisation and severe COVID-19 versus matched controls. Booster vaccinations attenuated these risks. Individuals with recent HF/IHD admissions should be prioritised for receipt of booster vaccine doses.
Humans
;
COVID-19/complications*
;
Male
;
Heart Failure/complications*
;
Myocardial Ischemia/complications*
;
Female
;
Middle Aged
;
Hospitalization/statistics & numerical data*
;
Aged
;
COVID-19 Vaccines/administration & dosage*
;
Singapore/epidemiology*
;
SARS-CoV-2
;
Proportional Hazards Models
;
Adult
;
Case-Control Studies
;
Vaccination/statistics & numerical data*


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