Events during September 2023

Effective vaccine must deal with extreme HIV-1 variability and do so without guidance from natural immunity. For HIV-1, vaccines may need to induce both bNAbs and protective CD8+ killer T cells, the latter of which clearly impose a selective pressure on the virus and their protective potential should be harnessed by vaccines. However, not all antibodies and CD8+ T cells are protective; they must target vulnerable parts on HIV-1 proteins.

The central paradigm of the HIVconsvX T-cell vaccine strategy is focusing T cells on the functionally conserved regions of the HIV-1 Gag and Pol proteins, which are very similar among global isolates and harbour fewer escape mutations. At the epitope level, the remaining variability within the conserved regions is addressed computationally by using a bi-valent mosaic. Results of the first trials testing the HIVconsvX vaccine candidates confirmed that conserved sub-dominant and, therefore, underused T-cell epitopes taken out of the context of the whole virus or full-length viral proteins can induce robust and broad T-cell responses when delivered by an effective heterologous regimen such as ChAdOx1-MVA.

Progress towards an effective HIV-1 vaccine has been slow and riddled with many setbacks. However, systematic iterative development of vaccine components for both neutralizing antibodies and effective T cells informed by human data is beginning to pay off by bringing the first encouragements endorsing the field’s overall direction of travel.

A person's immune response to previous antigen exposure is one of the most useful measures of how well their immune system is functioning. Vaccination provides a controlled and standardised exposure to an antigen, with the ability to assess immune responses prior to and after exposure. Different vaccine types can be used to explore different aspects of immune function.

Traditionally, antibody levels have been used to interrogate these responses, and it is possible to explore the quality of the antibody response and also cellular responses. A wide variability in the response to vaccination in healthy individuals can complicate interpretation of vaccine responses in patients with recurrent infections. Protection from infection is multifactorial, and while our ability to assess vaccine responses is improving, this alone is often not enough to assess an individual's immunity.

It’s life, but not as we know it. Emerging parasitic diseases

Learn how infectious disease POCT services have evolved across Wales. Discover how Louise's role as a Biomedical Scientist has evolved to National infectious disease POCT lead. Discover how POCT projects are contributing towards the World Health Organisations Hepatitis C elimination targets and how we foresee future POCT services expanding.

Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome is one of the most dangerous complications associated with assisted conception using invitro fertilisation (IVF). If not managed appropriately it can even lead to death of the women developing ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. Clinical Biochemistry aids significantly in the diagnosis and management of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome.

This presentation aims to summarise the role of various biochemical parameters that are used routinely in the diagnosis and management of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome.

What is ISO 22367 and how can it help the laboratory comply with the risk requirements of ISO15189

Delegates will understand:

The pathophysiological aspects of Vitamin B12.
The role of the laboratory in the diagnosis of Vitamin B12 deficiency.

Join some of our panel members for our lunchtime session where we will be hosting an antibody workshop. Looking at different types of antibodies and how to positively identify or eliminate any suspected clincially significant antibodies, whilst testing your knowledge and skills.

The aim is to make the session fun and interactive, focusing on some top tips for solving those antibody mysteries.

Specialist portfolios: Updated, flexible and achievable

Trichophyton indotinaea is a newly described species of dermatophyte that has emerged with the last 10 years in India, and some Middle Eastern countries. It causes tinea corporis and tinea cruris mainly (ringworm infection of the torso and groin) and can spread to the arms, legs and face. T. indotineae is also characterised by a reduced susceptibility or outright resistance to one of the commonly used and otherwise highly effective antifungals, terbinafine. While high levels of cases are seen in Indida, countries outside of India and the Middle East are now seeing imported cases and the UK is not alone. Working with colleagues in London we have identified signficant numbers of cases and are now understanding how difficult these infections are to treat, even with antifungals that the organism should be sensitive to. Lesions are only superficial, but are itchy and disfiguring, and often relapse after initial antifungal therapy. We are continuing to learn about the epidemiology, transmission, diagnosis and treatment of this emerging infection.