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Scoop
29-05-2025
- Health
- Scoop
Global Study: COVID-19 And Adenoviral Vaccines Tied To GBS Risk, Not MRNA Vaccines
Press Release – Global Vaccine Data Network Large-scale study in a population covering more than 230 million people sheds light on the relationship between Guillain-Barré syndrome after COVID-19 vaccines or SARS-CoV-2 infection. Auckland, 29 May 2025 – A new multinational study analysing data from over 230 million people across 20 global sites highlights the relationship between SARS-CoV-2 infection, certain COVID-19 vaccines, and Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS). This research reinforces the importance of continuous vaccine safety monitoring and highlights key differences in risk associated with different vaccine types. GBS is a rare but serious neurological condition that can cause progressive limb weakness and eventual paralysis, with an annual incidence of 1 to 4 cases per 100,000 people worldwide. It has been linked to various infections, including Campylobacter jejuni, Zika virus, influenza, and SARS-CoV-2. The study used advanced epidemiological methods and healthcare data from 20 sites within GVDN: seven sites from the African COVID-19 Vaccine Safety Surveillance (ACVaSS) system: Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, and Nigeria; Argentina; New South Wales and Victoria in Australia; British Columbia and Ontario in Canada; Denmark; Finland; Indonesia; Republic of Korea; South Africa; and three Vaccine monitoring Collaboration for Europe (VAC4EU) sites: Catalonia and Valencia in Spain, and the United Kingdom. People infected with SARS-CoV-2 were around three times more likely to develop Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) within six weeks of infection compared to other times, suggesting that infection with this virus increases the risk of GBS. An increased risk was also observed following adenoviral vector vaccines (AstraZeneca, Janssen/Johnson & Johnson), but not after mRNA vaccines (Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna) or inactivated vaccines (Coronavac/Sinovac). 'If you are concerned about the risk of rare but serious side effects of vaccines such as GBS, you should know that receiving an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine does not appear to increase your risk, but infection with the virus does,' said Dr. Jeff Kwong, senior author for the study based at ICES and the University of Toronto in Canada. 'This study reinforces what we have known for some time—the potential health risks from COVID-19 disease are greater than the risks following COVID-19 vaccination, which plays an important role in protecting us from serious risks posed by infection.' 'Understanding the relative risks of vaccination and infection is critical. This study reinforces that while certain vaccines may carry small risks, SARS-CoV-2 infection itself presents a much greater threat to neurological health,' said Dr. Sharifa Nasreen, Assistant Professor at SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, USA. 'Our findings emphasise that vaccine safety is not static—it is continuously studied and evaluated. The global research community remains committed to ensuring public confidence through ongoing safety monitoring and evidence-based guidance,' said Dr. Helen Petousis-Harris, GVDN Co-Director and Associate Professor at the University of Auckland. GVDN collaborates with leading research institutions, policymakers, and vaccine organisations across six continents to create a comprehensive, evidence-based approach to vaccine safety and effectiveness. This large-scale study underscores the importance of vaccination as a tool for public health, not only in preventing severe disease but in reducing rare complications like GBS. Dr. Steve Black, GVDN Co-Director, stated, 'GVDN has long been committed to rigorous and transparent vaccine safety research. The size and diversity of this study population, attained through multinational collaboration, is a testament to this. Our findings highlight the importance of continuous monitoring and real-world data to guide public health decisions.' About Global Vaccine Data Network™ (GVDN®) Global Vaccine Data Network (GVDN) brings together researchers across six continents to deliver independent, real-world data on vaccine safety and effectiveness, supporting evidence-based public health decisions. Established in 2019, GVDN collaborates with renowned research institutions, policy-makers, and vaccine-related organisations to establish a harmonised and evidence-based approach to evaluating vaccine safety and effectiveness using data sourced from millions of individuals across six continents. GVDN is supported by the Global Coordinating Centre based at Auckland UniServices Limited, a not-for-profit, stand-alone company that provides support to researchers and is wholly owned by the Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland. Aiming to gain a comprehensive understanding of vaccine safety and effectiveness profiles, GVDN strives to create a safer immunisation landscape that empowers decision-making for the global community. For further information, visit Disclaimer This news release summarises the key findings of the GVDN study to identify the association between the risk of Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) and COVID-19 infection or vaccination. To view the full publication in Vaccine, visit This project was supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The contents are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement by, CDC/HHS, or the U.S. Government.
Scoop
28-05-2025
- Health
- Scoop
Global Study: COVID-19 And Adenoviral Vaccines Tied To GBS Risk, Not MRNA Vaccines
Large-scale study in a population covering more than 230 million people sheds light on the relationship between Guillain-Barré syndrome after COVID-19 vaccines or SARS-CoV-2 infection. Auckland, 29 May 2025 – A new multinational study analysing data from over 230 million people across 20 global sites highlights the relationship between SARS-CoV-2 infection, certain COVID-19 vaccines, and Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS). This research reinforces the importance of continuous vaccine safety monitoring and highlights key differences in risk associated with different vaccine types. GBS is a rare but serious neurological condition that can cause progressive limb weakness and eventual paralysis, with an annual incidence of 1 to 4 cases per 100,000 people worldwide. It has been linked to various infections, including Campylobacter jejuni, Zika virus, influenza, and SARS-CoV-2. The study used advanced epidemiological methods and healthcare data from 20 sites within GVDN: seven sites from the African COVID-19 Vaccine Safety Surveillance (ACVaSS) system: Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, and Nigeria; Argentina; New South Wales and Victoria in Australia; British Columbia and Ontario in Canada; Denmark; Finland; Indonesia; Republic of Korea; South Africa; and three Vaccine monitoring Collaboration for Europe (VAC4EU) sites: Catalonia and Valencia in Spain, and the United Kingdom. People infected with SARS-CoV-2 were around three times more likely to develop Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) within six weeks of infection compared to other times, suggesting that infection with this virus increases the risk of GBS. An increased risk was also observed following adenoviral vector vaccines (AstraZeneca, Janssen/Johnson & Johnson), but not after mRNA vaccines (Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna) or inactivated vaccines (Coronavac/Sinovac). 'If you are concerned about the risk of rare but serious side effects of vaccines such as GBS, you should know that receiving an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine does not appear to increase your risk, but infection with the virus does,' said Dr. Jeff Kwong, senior author for the study based at ICES and the University of Toronto in Canada. 'This study reinforces what we have known for some time—the potential health risks from COVID-19 disease are greater than the risks following COVID-19 vaccination, which plays an important role in protecting us from serious risks posed by infection.' 'Understanding the relative risks of vaccination and infection is critical. This study reinforces that while certain vaccines may carry small risks, SARS-CoV-2 infection itself presents a much greater threat to neurological health,' said Dr. Sharifa Nasreen, Assistant Professor at SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, USA. 'Our findings emphasise that vaccine safety is not static—it is continuously studied and evaluated. The global research community remains committed to ensuring public confidence through ongoing safety monitoring and evidence-based guidance,' said Dr. Helen Petousis-Harris, GVDN Co-Director and Associate Professor at the University of Auckland. GVDN collaborates with leading research institutions, policymakers, and vaccine organisations across six continents to create a comprehensive, evidence-based approach to vaccine safety and effectiveness. This large-scale study underscores the importance of vaccination as a tool for public health, not only in preventing severe disease but in reducing rare complications like GBS. Dr. Steve Black, GVDN Co-Director, stated, 'GVDN has long been committed to rigorous and transparent vaccine safety research. The size and diversity of this study population, attained through multinational collaboration, is a testament to this. Our findings highlight the importance of continuous monitoring and real-world data to guide public health decisions.' About Global Vaccine Data Network™ (GVDN®) Global Vaccine Data Network (GVDN) brings together researchers across six continents to deliver independent, real-world data on vaccine safety and effectiveness, supporting evidence-based public health decisions. Established in 2019, GVDN collaborates with renowned research institutions, policy-makers, and vaccine-related organisations to establish a harmonised and evidence-based approach to evaluating vaccine safety and effectiveness using data sourced from millions of individuals across six continents. GVDN is supported by the Global Coordinating Centre based at Auckland UniServices Limited, a not-for-profit, stand-alone company that provides support to researchers and is wholly owned by the Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland. Aiming to gain a comprehensive understanding of vaccine safety and effectiveness profiles, GVDN strives to create a safer immunisation landscape that empowers decision-making for the global community. For further information, visit Disclaimer This news release summarises the key findings of the GVDN study to identify the association between the risk of Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) and COVID-19 infection or vaccination. To view the full publication in Vaccine, visit This project was supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The contents are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement by, CDC/HHS, or the U.S. Government.
Medscape
14-05-2025
- Health
- Medscape
Guillain-Barré Syndrome: When to Suspect, What to Rule Out
The Task Force of the European Academy of Neurology and the Peripheral Nerve Society published updated guidelines in 2024 on the diagnosis and treatment of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), which accounts for approximately 100,000 cases annually. This topic was discussed at the French Language Neurology Days Congress, held in Clermont-Ferrand, France, from 15 to 18 April 2025. The report highlighted that certain infections, particularly those caused by Campylobacter jejuni, could trigger GBS. Furthermore, 'several studies suggest an increased risk following treatments that is associated with immunity, including certain biotherapies such as checkpoint inhibitors or tacrolimus and certain vaccines, such as those for influenza, shingles, or adenoviral vector vaccines against SARS-CoV-2,' summarised Armelle Magot, MD, neurologist at Nantes University Hospital, Nantes, France. The Task Force concluded that the benefits of these vaccines outweigh the rare risk of developing GBS. Diagnostic Criteria The Task Force reviewed various diagnostic criteria proposed in the literature and recommended using the criteria defined in a review published in 2019 as a diagnostic foundation. Key indicators include progressive limb weakness, areflexia or hyporeflexia in the affected areas, and worsening symptoms over more than 4 weeks. Clinical criteria, such as a recent history of infection, cranial nerve involvement, signs of autonomic dysfunction, respiratory failure, or radicular or muscular pain, can further strengthen the diagnostic suspicion. Conversely, certain factors may suggest a differential diagnosis: Persistent asymmetrical weakness, absence of early progression in the initial hours of GBS, predominant sensory signs, fever, and initial disturbances of consciousness. Biologically, serum levels of anti-ganglioside antibodies are generally not necessary, as their diagnostic sensitivity is limited, except in certain conditions, such as Miller Fisher syndrome. Analysis of the cerebrospinal fluid is recommended to rule out uncertain or differential diagnoses. Protein levels without marked hypercellularity are common in GBS, but they are not reliable, and a normal concentration does not exclude the diagnosis, particularly in the first week. However, the presence of a significant white blood cell count (< 50/µL) in the cerebrospinal fluid suggested an alternative diagnosis. Finally, electromyography is a valuable tool for diagnosis, while MRI and ultrasound are more commonly employed in atypical cases to rule out certain differential diagnoses. Management Protocol The Task Force reaffirmed the role of intravenous immunoglobulins (0.4 g/kg/d for 5 days) or plasmapheresis (4-5 sessions over 1-2 weeks) as first-line treatments. The Task Force did not favour one treatment over the other, except for intravenous immunoglobulins in children, recognising that the combination of both has no added benefit. The therapeutic decision is based on the severity of the condition: Treatment should be administered within the first 4 weeks if the patient is unable to walk 10 metres without assistance (GBS disability score ≥ 3). If the patient can walk but cannot run, these treatments may be considered between 2 weeks and 4 weeks if associated severity criteria are present with rapid adverse progression, swallowing difficulties, and so on. Treatment is not recommended for patients with less severe symptoms or those who are asymptomatic without signs of severity. Fluctuations related to treatment may occur in 5%-15% of patients, corresponding to relapses during the plateau phase or after initiating the recovery phase. In such cases, retreatment may be proposed following the same modalities. 'Unfortunately, if no improvement is observed after a week, no second-line treatment can be proposed,' said Aude-Marie Grapperon, MD, neurologist at Marseille University Hospital, Marseille, France. In a clinical trial, the second course of intravenous immunoglobulins showed poor benefit, and, conversely, thromboembolic adverse effects were observed. Corticosteroids are also ineffective, as numerous clinical trials have confirmed their lack of efficacy when used alone or in combination. Innovative Treatments Innovative treatments are currently being evaluated and could provide alternatives for severe forms of the disease. The scientific rationale for these treatments primarily revolves around the early activation of the complement pathway, which is significant in GBS: Eculizumab, a monoclonal anticomplement antibody, has been studied in this context with two encouraging phase 2 studies; however, phase 3 published data indicated no benefits. C1q inhibitors: A phase 1 study demonstrated a favourable safety profile, and the results of a phase 3 study conducted in Asian countries have not yet been published but are reported to be positive. Efgartigimod vs intravenous immunoglobulins is currently in a Phase 2 trial in the United States, which began in September 2024. Imlifidase, an enzyme derived from Streptococcus pyogenes that cleaves immunoglobulin G, functions as a form of chemical plasmapheresis. Open-label studies have suggested a favourable safety profile; however, these findings require validation and publication. Finally, it is essential not to overlook all supportive treatments, such as the treatment of pulmonary infections, psychological support, pain management, and other interventions, which are crucial for the overall improvement of patients. This story was translated from Univadis France using several editorial tools, including AI, as part of the process. Human editors reviewed this content before publication.
Yahoo
26-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Climate change is spoiling food faster, making hundreds of millions of people sick around the world
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Global warming has made it easier for bacteria and other germs to contaminate the food supply, and this little-discussed danger of climate change is teaching painful and sometimes life-threatening lessons to hundreds of millions of people every year. One of them is Sumitra Sutar, 75, of Haroli village in India's Maharashtra state. Five years ago Sutar was eating leftover rice and lentil curry, her staple food for more than five decades. This time, her routine meal caused her to start vomiting "at least 15 times a day," she recalled recently. Eventually, she learned the culprit was a foodborne bacteria that produces toxins that can lead to vomiting, eye inflammation, and respiratory tract infections. Global warming has made the world more welcoming for the pathogen, Bacillus cereus, to grow in food stored after cooking. One study found that domestic rice cooking can be insufficient to inactivate its spores. Researchers and health workers are sounding the alarm: The food supply is vulnerable to greater spoilage due to more frequent extreme heat, floods and droughts, boosting the risk of contamination and outbreaks of foodborne diseases. Extreme heat can hasten food spoilage by allowing bacteria to multiply faster, experts say. Rising waters from severe floods can contaminate crops with sewage or other unwanted waste products, while higher humidity can promote growth of salmonella bacteria on lettuce and other produce eaten raw. The World Health Organization estimates that 600 million people fall sick every year from foodborne diseases, leading to 420,000 deaths. Children under five years old are at especially high risk, and every year 125,000 children lose their lives because of such largely preventable diseases. Many factors including farming practices and global food supply chains have made such problems much more prevalent, and a growing body of research has highlighted how climate change also plays a big role. A review study published in eBiomedicine this year found that for every 1.8 F (1 C) rise in temperature, the threat of non-typhoidal salmonella and campylobacter, bacteria that can make people sick, usually by causing food poisoning, increased by 5%. Related: How does E. coli get into food? Sutar's village has reported a severe rise in the temperature in the past decade, with summer heat that can top 109.4 F (43 C). Many people across the region have reported a rise in foodborne illnesses, says community health care worker Padmashri Sutar, also Sumitra Sutar's daughter-in-law. A review article published in Climatic Change noted that higher temperatures and changing precipitation patterns lead to the proliferation of foodborne pathogens, including the most common: salmonella, Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Campylobacter jejuni. "Increased temperatures promote the growth of bacteria like listeria, campylobacter and salmonella in perishable foods like meat, dairy and seafood," said one of its authors, Ahmed Hamad, lecturer of food hygiene and control at Egypt's Benha University. A study from northwestern Mexico examined how environmental factors influenced the outbreak of salmonella species, the bacteria responsible for many foodborne diseases globally. It found the maximum prevalence in areas with higher temperatures between 35 and 37 °C (95-98.6 F) and annual precipitation greater than 1,000 mm (39.4 inches). Another paper published in Applied and Environmental Microbiology this year found climate change will increase the risk of foodborne diseases caused by Salmonella enterica, noting that high humidity boosts salmonella growth. This bacteria already affects 1.2 million people in the U.S. annually. In extreme heat, ready-to-eat products pose a higher risk of causing foodborne illnesses, warns Hudaa Neetoo, associate professor in microbiology and food safety at the University of Mauritius. "During heat waves, the level of pathogenic microorganisms in these products can increase considerably and attain a level sufficient to cause illness because they do not require any final heat-killing step." Along with heat waves, she said, flooding can cause manure runoff from adjacent animal pastures to croplands, contaminating agricultural produce including salads, vegetables and leafy greens meant to be consumed raw. "Animal manure can harbor human pathogens such as enteropathogenic E. coli, salmonella and campylobacter, and research has found that domestic washing alone is not sufficient to decontaminate produce and bring the levels of organisms down to a safe level," she said. She also warned of systemic contamination of produce by pathogens that enter crops through the roots and become internalized and harder to get rid of. Another direct impact of flooding, overflowing sewage systems, "can contaminate crops and water sources with harmful pathogens like salmonella, E. coli and norovirus. Flooding can also introduce pathogens into irrigation systems, increasing the risk of crop contamination," Hamad said. Indirect effects of climate change can also lead to outbreaks of foodborne diseases. A paper published in the Journal of Health Monitoring mentioned that as fresh water becomes scarcer, treated wastewater may be used to irrigate crops, potentially carrying pathogens from animal or human feces. This can heighten the risk of contamination. "When communities rely entirely on wastewater reuse, the primary objective must be to treat this water to a level of safety that poses no risk to consumers," said Martin Richter, head of a food safety unit at the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment and one of the paper's authors. "Sometimes one copy of the pathogen is enough to cause disease," so wastewater must be thoroughly treated. He suggested prioritizing fresh water to irrigate foods typically consumed raw while using treated wastewater on crops that are generally cooked. "Cooking food at 70 degrees Celsius [158 F] for at least two minutes destroys most of the pathogens that may be present on its surface," he said. Community health care worker Padmashri Sutar says that people in her village have stopped cooking with river water and rely entirely on groundwater. "In the past, many people in the village fell sick after drinking river water, so they completely avoid it now." She said many people need education on the connection between climate change and foodborne illnesses. "To make people aware of this, I give simple examples, such as the rise in frequency of food spoilage." She also urges people to clean their water containers after floods or heavy rainfall, and she discusses how pathogens and bacteria can now contaminate vegetables and milk much more easily. People who have participated in awareness sessions now eat fewer leftovers. "They prefer cooking fresh food now and buying only the required number of vegetables," she said. Health care workers need more long-term data on climate change and foodborne illnesses, Neetoo said. "Universities should conduct long-term surveillance studies and trend analysis to allow better prediction of the impact of climate change on food systems." She also advocates researching new ways to decontaminate warehouses, containers and food products affected by floodwater. Hamad called for improving surveillance and monitoring to detect potential outbreaks early. He added that infrastructure should be improved to ensure food processing and distribution systems can withstand extreme weather events and sanitation infrastructure is robust, especially in flood-prone areas. Experts stressed the need to educate people about the role of climate change in foodborne illnesses. "Many people see climate change as purely an environmental issue, without recognizing its profound effects on public health, including the increased risks of foodborne diseases," Hamad said. A prominent misconception is that cold weather kills all pathogens. "Certain bacteria, like listeria, can still grow at cold temperatures, posing risks even in cooler climates," he explained. Sutar said people often interrupt her when she talks about the reasons behind the rise in foodborne illnesses. They repeat the common belief that poor food handling is the sole reason behind these diseases. She patiently explains how climate change exacerbates the growth of pathogens in the environment and water sources. RELATED STORIES —E. coli in the gut may fuel a 'chain reaction' leading to Parkinson's, early study suggests —The deadliest viruses in history –Nearly 3 million extra deaths by 2030 could result from HIV funding cuts, study suggests "People don't want to accept that even climate change can lead to foodborne illness," Sutar said, adding that many in her region don't report such illnesses because they don't take them seriously and think they're an isolated case that does not warrant public attention. Meanwhile, many other people in the area also suffer from vomiting, fever, gastrointestinal problems and several other issues because of eating contaminated food. Sutar said she has become an evangelist spreading the word about climate and the food supply. "I ask people not only to observe the changing climatic patterns but also carefully consider what's on their plate." This article was originally published by Yale Climate Connections. This article by Yale Climate Connections is published here as part of the global journalism collaboration Covering Climate Now.
